Check your state or territory government’s rules. You may need to report a RAT positive result. needed as part of a screening program by your school or your employer.you want to check if you have COVID-19 before attending a large event or visiting vulnerable people.you’ve been in contact with someone who has COVID-19 and you do not have symptoms.you’re at low risk of severe COVID-19 illness.you tested positive on a RAT and you need a PCR test to confirm your result.you’re at risk of severe COVID-19 illness.There are 2 types of tests used to diagnose COVID-19 in Australia: polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and rapid antigen tests (RATs). The recommended time to wait before taking this test is decided by your state or territory.ĬHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS - Use the COVID-19 Symptom and Antiviral Eligibility Checker to find out if you need medical help. you have been advised to do so by a health professional orĭepending on how long it has been since you recovered from COVID-19 you may need to take another test if you develop new COVID-19 symptoms.you have symptoms of the illness - even if your symptoms are mild or.COVID quick read When should I get tested for COVID-19? Getting a rapid test is quick and convenient.Find out who should get a COVID-19 test, and whether you need a RAT or PCR test. Stock is being replenished to wholesalers on a daily basis with deliveries being made to pharmacies within a matter of days in order to meet demand.Īnyone with symptoms of COVID-19 – a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – should book a PCR test online or by calling 119. The majority of pharmacies have test kits available but we are aware that some pharmacies are unable to immediately order test kits. This number of tests in the box factors in the potential for a void test. This allows the person to test themselves twice weekly within a 3-week timeframe. The test kits will be provided free of charge to anyone requesting them with one box of test kits per person.Īll pharmacies that sign up to deliver the service will receive a set-up fee and a transaction fee every time a member of the public collects a kit.Įach box contains 7 LFDs. They should self-isolate if they get a positive result and order a confirmatory PCR test online or by calling 119. If testing at home, individuals will need to register their results online or by calling 119, even if they get a negative result. Confirmatory PCR testing will also mean variants of concern are detected more quickly. All positive results from LFD tests must be followed up with a confirmatory PCR test within 72 hours. This means that for every 1,000 lateral flow tests carried out, there is fewer than one false positive result. New analysis by NHS Test and Trace shows lateral flow (LFD) tests to have a specificity of at least 99.9%. The testing only takes 30 minutes and will help people stop the spread of the virus – protecting families and communities and saving lives. This new service will make it even easier for people to access rapid testing twice a week. I have been delighted at the level of interest and how fast the response has been from pharmacies to take part, with 9 in 10 registering to offer rapid test kits within 10 days. Now, they will play a key role in our rapid testing programme, which is a vital tool in reopening society in the months ahead. Pharmacies make an invaluable contribution our health service – they have gone above and beyond in response to COVID-19 to serve their communities. Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: Regular testing continues to play a critical role in stopping the spread of the virus and breaking the chains of transmission.Īn online checker has launched so people can find their nearest pharmacy offering free rapid test kits. The Pharmacy Collect service is available to people aged over 18 without symptoms, who are able to visit a participating local pharmacy and collect a box of 7 rapid tests to use twice a week at home.Īlongside the rollout of the vaccine, testing will form a crucial part of everyday life as parts of society reopen.Īround 1 in 3 people with coronavirus don’t have symptoms, which means they can spread the virus without knowing it. Rapid, regular testing is now available to everyone in England and the new ‘Pharmacy Collect’ service provides an additional route to regular testing, making it as easy as possible for people without COVID-19 symptoms to access testing twice a week. Nine in ten pharmacies across England are now distributing free rapid lateral flow tests for people to collect and use at home. Pharmacy Collect service provides an additional route to twice-weekly, rapid testing for everyone without symptoms.Regular, rapid testing can detect COVID-19 in 30 minutes, helping break the chains of transmission.
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