My Experience of a drive through Covid test.
Discussion
The covid testing has had a lot of negative press. So I thought I'd share my experience.
Wednesday afternoon we had a call from my daughter's nursery. She apparently had the symptoms of a persistent cough and a temperature. We were to pick her up and she was to be in isolation for 14 days unless we had a test.
She had an occasional cough, and no temperature.
Got her home and went to book a test. Oh Bugger. Not till next week, until my wife reminded me we were already in October and there were available slots at that very moment.
So straight up to Gloucester, about 20 minutes drive, alternatives ere offered that were nearly as close. We weren't offered Aberdeen / Newcastle or any of the crazy locations you read are the only available options in the press.
The site was well sign posted, we were clearly directed in, everyone was reassuring, helpful, polite and friendly. We were guided through every stage.
We were directed to the bay with the shortest queue, the wait was a couple of minutes tops. We were talked through the test and shown where to park. And how to attract attention if we needed help, or when we had completed the test. It was all very reassuring and straightforward.
Took the sample from my daughter, which wasn't entirely without a fight, but wasn't as bad as it could have been.
We were directed how to package it and where to go.
We stayed with in the car throughout, only opening the windows to receive and return the test kit. Communication and direction was thorough, respectful and kind throughout. Process was straightforward and thought out.
I was genuinely impressed.
We received the (negative) test result after 28hours.
One of the guys said a significant amount of the testing was toddlers and young children threatened with a two week nursery ban 'for showing symptoms'.
Wednesday afternoon we had a call from my daughter's nursery. She apparently had the symptoms of a persistent cough and a temperature. We were to pick her up and she was to be in isolation for 14 days unless we had a test.
She had an occasional cough, and no temperature.
Got her home and went to book a test. Oh Bugger. Not till next week, until my wife reminded me we were already in October and there were available slots at that very moment.
So straight up to Gloucester, about 20 minutes drive, alternatives ere offered that were nearly as close. We weren't offered Aberdeen / Newcastle or any of the crazy locations you read are the only available options in the press.
The site was well sign posted, we were clearly directed in, everyone was reassuring, helpful, polite and friendly. We were guided through every stage.
We were directed to the bay with the shortest queue, the wait was a couple of minutes tops. We were talked through the test and shown where to park. And how to attract attention if we needed help, or when we had completed the test. It was all very reassuring and straightforward.
Took the sample from my daughter, which wasn't entirely without a fight, but wasn't as bad as it could have been.
We were directed how to package it and where to go.
We stayed with in the car throughout, only opening the windows to receive and return the test kit. Communication and direction was thorough, respectful and kind throughout. Process was straightforward and thought out.
I was genuinely impressed.
We received the (negative) test result after 28hours.
One of the guys said a significant amount of the testing was toddlers and young children threatened with a two week nursery ban 'for showing symptoms'.
Developed symptoms last night, at 1am I managed to book a test only 15 mins away for 9am today. Was very impressed with that.
I turned up about 15 mins early, directed very well throughout. Went for the self test. Everyone was incredibly helpful if a little awkward communicating through a window.
I was out within 15 mins, very impressed. Hopefully I'll get the results in the morning.
Symptoms have been hard today, nearly bed bound all day. Id be surprised if it wasn't covid, but hopefully just a flu. Worst parts are painful swallowing and the general aching, which appears to be concentrating on a "sensitive area".
I turned up about 15 mins early, directed very well throughout. Went for the self test. Everyone was incredibly helpful if a little awkward communicating through a window.
I was out within 15 mins, very impressed. Hopefully I'll get the results in the morning.
Symptoms have been hard today, nearly bed bound all day. Id be surprised if it wasn't covid, but hopefully just a flu. Worst parts are painful swallowing and the general aching, which appears to be concentrating on a "sensitive area".
My mum and dad report the same.
My wife is ITU and classed as key personnel or something (makes sense I suppose, currently). If her, me or the the children show symptoms they ‘fast track’ the test and processing so you get the results within a couple of hours, depending. Done at the hospital lab.
Otherwise she can’t work.
My wife is ITU and classed as key personnel or something (makes sense I suppose, currently). If her, me or the the children show symptoms they ‘fast track’ the test and processing so you get the results within a couple of hours, depending. Done at the hospital lab.
Otherwise she can’t work.
The actual process of booking the test and the drive through test itself was very efficient. However, since having the test at 1930 on Friday I am still awaiting the results 😒.
I rang the hotline once 48 hours had passed and they told me there was a delay due to high volume or something. So still sat here isolating until I know the results. No symptoms other than complete loss of smell.
I rang the hotline once 48 hours had passed and they told me there was a delay due to high volume or something. So still sat here isolating until I know the results. No symptoms other than complete loss of smell.
Yep I had to take my youngest as she had a temp of 38° recorded in nursery. We never managed to see anything over 37.4° after collection though 
. We literally saw no symptoms, she spent most of her time at home dancing and painting.
We had trouble booking the test online. No availability. They appear to release slots at 20:00, as load suddenly became available next day.
Booked in for 12:00 next day. Only waited a few minutes at test centre. The woman was very clear. Swab full tonsils and both nostrils. "Make sure you don't touch the tongue." Not sure she'd ever met a 3 year old before...
Took over 60hrs to receive results. I chased after 48hrs, but the department for chasing results was shut due to over demand.
Negative result unsurprisingly. Slightly frustrating as I was meant to start a new job on day she was sent home. But have to keep in mind everyone just following guidelines and trying their best.
. We literally saw no symptoms, she spent most of her time at home dancing and painting.We had trouble booking the test online. No availability. They appear to release slots at 20:00, as load suddenly became available next day.
Booked in for 12:00 next day. Only waited a few minutes at test centre. The woman was very clear. Swab full tonsils and both nostrils. "Make sure you don't touch the tongue." Not sure she'd ever met a 3 year old before...
Took over 60hrs to receive results. I chased after 48hrs, but the department for chasing results was shut due to over demand.
Negative result unsurprisingly. Slightly frustrating as I was meant to start a new job on day she was sent home. But have to keep in mind everyone just following guidelines and trying their best.
I've just done my first one as I've got a horrid cough (no temp though)
Booked at 9am for 13:30 no issue there, the test itself is a bit odd as someone above says meant to do tonsils and nostril without touching the tongue, tonsils made me gag but hopefully I didn't touch it with my tongue
They said it should be 24 hours to get the result so we'll see
Booked at 9am for 13:30 no issue there, the test itself is a bit odd as someone above says meant to do tonsils and nostril without touching the tongue, tonsils made me gag but hopefully I didn't touch it with my tongue
They said it should be 24 hours to get the result so we'll see
Felt ill on Friday, cough developed Saturday and with super high blood sugars (type 1 diabetic) decided to get a test sunday morning.
Went to Ashford (Kent, i live 18 miles away in Faversham so nice and local) they had availability all day. not surprising as when i arrived at 11am it was empty. I was the only car there....
Actual test very efficient. Since then i have felt better and better, sugars fine, cough gone. Minor headache. Its probably therefore nothing. But, I'm stuck at home, as is my partner, a primary school teacher! So it is annoying that we have hit 48 hours and no response. Especially as a pupil at her school had a test yesterday at the same site and received a negative response 9am this morning....bloody queue jumpers!
Went to Ashford (Kent, i live 18 miles away in Faversham so nice and local) they had availability all day. not surprising as when i arrived at 11am it was empty. I was the only car there....
Actual test very efficient. Since then i have felt better and better, sugars fine, cough gone. Minor headache. Its probably therefore nothing. But, I'm stuck at home, as is my partner, a primary school teacher! So it is annoying that we have hit 48 hours and no response. Especially as a pupil at her school had a test yesterday at the same site and received a negative response 9am this morning....bloody queue jumpers!
snowen250 said:
Felt ill on Friday, cough developed Saturday and with super high blood sugars (type 1 diabetic) decided to get a test sunday morning.
Went to Ashford (Kent, i live 18 miles away in Faversham so nice and local) they had availability all day. not surprising as when i arrived at 11am it was empty. I was the only car there....
Actual test very efficient. Since then i have felt better and better, sugars fine, cough gone. Minor headache. Its probably therefore nothing. But, I'm stuck at home, as is my partner, a primary school teacher! So it is annoying that we have hit 48 hours and no response. Especially as a pupil at her school had a test yesterday at the same site and received a negative response 9am this morning....bloody queue jumpers!
That's interesting as my symptoms are almost identicalWent to Ashford (Kent, i live 18 miles away in Faversham so nice and local) they had availability all day. not surprising as when i arrived at 11am it was empty. I was the only car there....
Actual test very efficient. Since then i have felt better and better, sugars fine, cough gone. Minor headache. Its probably therefore nothing. But, I'm stuck at home, as is my partner, a primary school teacher! So it is annoying that we have hit 48 hours and no response. Especially as a pupil at her school had a test yesterday at the same site and received a negative response 9am this morning....bloody queue jumpers!
I'm hardly coughing today, just feel quite lethargic and run down, will update if I get test results today
t at being ill although thankfully it happens rarelyI went last week, had a high temp so didn't go into work, they needed a negative result before I could go back. Much the same experience as the OP, the process was fine, just a bit surreal. Ours is manned largely by eastern Europeans, so communicating through a closed window wasn't the best, but got there in the end.
Negative back within 48 hours.
Although my high temp still comes and goes weirdly, a week later, not sure what is wrong with me, Ibuprofen keeps in nicely in check so I can crack on at work though.
Negative back within 48 hours.
Although my high temp still comes and goes weirdly, a week later, not sure what is wrong with me, Ibuprofen keeps in nicely in check so I can crack on at work though.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Same here, usually just work through it, ignore it and crack on. But with current situation i felt it was right to get a test, as i figured by Monday i'd be given the all clear. As we approach 50 hours later however and i feel fine i am starting to regret my sense of civic duty....
768 said:
I have a theory that nurseries expense a new thermometer every week and use it to replace the one that gives the lowest reading.
Yep.... I think they were a bit surprised when she only missed one day
You wonder if they didn't get paid they'd find a lower reading thermometer... Next time we get a call, we're going to take in the one from home to confirm it!
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