This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-51943612

The article has changed 88 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 85 Version 86
Coronavirus: How to get a Covid test Coronavirus: How to get a Covid test
(1 day later)
An increase in demand for coronavirus tests has led to local shortages - with some people being directed to test sites hundreds of miles from their homes.An increase in demand for coronavirus tests has led to local shortages - with some people being directed to test sites hundreds of miles from their homes.
Testing people and then tracing the contacts of those infected is considered vital to stop the disease from spreading.Testing people and then tracing the contacts of those infected is considered vital to stop the disease from spreading.
Should I get tested?Should I get tested?
Anyone showing any of the three key symptoms of coronavirus should be able to be tested. The symptoms are:Anyone showing any of the three key symptoms of coronavirus should be able to be tested. The symptoms are:
The idea of testing is to find people with the virus and keep them isolated to avoid it being spread through the wider community.The idea of testing is to find people with the virus and keep them isolated to avoid it being spread through the wider community.
What are the Covid tests?What are the Covid tests?
There are two types of tests.There are two types of tests.
The first checks if you are currently infected. A nose and throat swab is taken and then sent off to be processed at a lab.The first checks if you are currently infected. A nose and throat swab is taken and then sent off to be processed at a lab.
New versions promising to deliver results in 90 minutes are being introduced in hospitals and care homes, where they can be processed using portable machines. But they're not yet widely available.New versions promising to deliver results in 90 minutes are being introduced in hospitals and care homes, where they can be processed using portable machines. But they're not yet widely available.
Tests on saliva are also being trialled, with samples analysed by laboratories.Tests on saliva are also being trialled, with samples analysed by laboratories.
The second test involves blood samples and looks for antibodies which indicate past, rather than current, infection.The second test involves blood samples and looks for antibodies which indicate past, rather than current, infection.
At the moment, these are mainly being used by scientists to estimate what percentage of the population has had Covid, rather than to diagnose individuals.At the moment, these are mainly being used by scientists to estimate what percentage of the population has had Covid, rather than to diagnose individuals.
How do I book a test to check if I have coronavirus?How do I book a test to check if I have coronavirus?
The testing system has been experiencing a number of problems and many people have struggled to book.The testing system has been experiencing a number of problems and many people have struggled to book.
The government maintains anyone with symptoms should still apply for one.The government maintains anyone with symptoms should still apply for one.
Until you can get a test it's important you and your household self-isolate.Until you can get a test it's important you and your household self-isolate.
How to get tested:How to get tested:
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated lab capacity is the reason people have been unable to book tests in recent days.The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated lab capacity is the reason people have been unable to book tests in recent days.
Testing sites across the the UK:Testing sites across the the UK:
There are 389 testing centres in total. The aim is to have 500.There are 389 testing centres in total. The aim is to have 500.
How many tests are being carried out?How many tests are being carried out?
Figures available reveal testing capacity and the number of actual tests being done. They also show the extent of antibody testing and those tests used by scientists to estimate how widespread the virus is.Figures available reveal testing capacity and the number of actual tests being done. They also show the extent of antibody testing and those tests used by scientists to estimate how widespread the virus is.
The government has pledged to bring in mass coronavirus testing by the end of the year, even among people with no symptoms.The government has pledged to bring in mass coronavirus testing by the end of the year, even among people with no symptoms.
The prime minister has spoken of his desire for 10 million Covid-19 tests a day by early 2021 - including some that give results in minutes. But experts warn laboratory capacity is an issue - and the technology for more rapid testing does not yet exist.The prime minister has spoken of his desire for 10 million Covid-19 tests a day by early 2021 - including some that give results in minutes. But experts warn laboratory capacity is an issue - and the technology for more rapid testing does not yet exist.
Can I be tested if I have no symptoms?Can I be tested if I have no symptoms?
Generally only people with symptoms should apply for a test, with results expected within 48 hours.Generally only people with symptoms should apply for a test, with results expected within 48 hours.
However, staff and residents in care homes should now be receiving regular tests, regardless of symptoms. Some hospital staff are routinely tested, but there is no national guidance stating they must be.However, staff and residents in care homes should now be receiving regular tests, regardless of symptoms. Some hospital staff are routinely tested, but there is no national guidance stating they must be.
If you don't have symptoms, the government says you should not apply for a test - unless you are living in a local lockdown area.If you don't have symptoms, the government says you should not apply for a test - unless you are living in a local lockdown area.
How reliable are the tests? What about private testing?
People should only order an NHS test if they are showing coronavirus symptoms, work in certain high risk settings, or have been asked to by the authorities.
There are some instances, such as travelling to certain countries, where you may need to show proof of a negative coronavirus test without using NHS resources.
Tests must have a ''CE mark'' to show they meet all legal criteria.
If you test positive, the test supplier must let your local health authority know so it can trace outbreaks of the disease and learn more about its prevalence in the UK.
Private tests can be obtained from clinics and health centres, with some offering a result within three days.
Prices vary but are often around £100-£200 for a swab test - which shows if you are currently infected - and £50-£100 for an antibody test, which can indicate a past infection. However antibody tests do not work for everyone - and even some people who have had coronavirus do not have antibodies.
How reliable are tests?
With the most common type of diagnostic test, scientists at the University of Bristol believe 20% of positive cases could falsely appear as negative - wrongly telling someone they are not infected.With the most common type of diagnostic test, scientists at the University of Bristol believe 20% of positive cases could falsely appear as negative - wrongly telling someone they are not infected.
This can be because the swab sample wasn't good enough, there were problems in the lab, or because of the stage of infection the patient was at when tested.This can be because the swab sample wasn't good enough, there were problems in the lab, or because of the stage of infection the patient was at when tested.
How does the UK compare to other countries?How does the UK compare to other countries?
Each country records testing slightly differently, so like for like comparisons won't be 100% accurate.Each country records testing slightly differently, so like for like comparisons won't be 100% accurate.
However, analysis from Our World In Data, a research team based at the University of Oxford, suggests the UK is now performing more tests than many other countries.However, analysis from Our World In Data, a research team based at the University of Oxford, suggests the UK is now performing more tests than many other countries.
For example, the seven-day average up until 10 September showed the UK had carried out 2.8 tests per 1,000 people. This was ahead of European countries including France (2.1) and Spain and Germany (both 1.8).For example, the seven-day average up until 10 September showed the UK had carried out 2.8 tests per 1,000 people. This was ahead of European countries including France (2.1) and Spain and Germany (both 1.8).
Follow Rachel on TwitterFollow Rachel on Twitter
What do I need to know about the coronavirus?What do I need to know about the coronavirus?