TESTING for coronavirus has been an essential part of driving down the spread of the bug.
But how often should we be taking a test and how quick are results available? Here’s everything you need to know…
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Anyone who has Covid symptoms should get tested immediately.
You may be required to complete a test before going into hospital for surgery or a procedure too.
Staff of primary and secondary schools, colleges, and nurseries should take twice-weekly rapid lateral flow tests using home test kits.
This includes permanent, temporary and voluntary staff.
Pupils and students should also be tested twice a week.
But soon every adult in the country could be asked to take Covid tests twice a week to help get the UK out of lockdown, according to reports.
Testing chiefs will be encouraging the public to swab themselves more often in the hope of identifying people who are positive but don’t have any coronavirus symptoms.
In order to drive down the spread of the virus, Brits will be urged to “play their part” and get regular swab tests, revealed the Times.
That depends on the type of test you take.
There are two types of swabs that you can take in order to test for coronavirus.
Rapid lateral flow tests are tests which give a quick result – similar to a pregnancy test.
They are only for people who do not have symptoms of coronavirus.
If you did a rapid lateral flow test at home, you can see your result after 30 minutes.
PCR tests are polymerase chain reaction tests – and are used mainly for people who have symptoms.
The tests are sent to a lab to be checked.
Most people receive their results between one and three days later.
If you test positive for Covid, you and everyone you live with must isolate and stay at home.
You should not leave the house for any reason, including for work or to go to the shops.
Those who live with other people should self-isolate in their room to prevent the virus spreading.
If you have received a positive result from a rapid lateral flow test, you should follow up with a PCR test to confirm.
If you have not had symptoms, you must self-isolate for 10 days from your test date.
If you have symptoms, you must self-isolate for 10 days from the day your symptoms started, if earlier than when you took your test.
You may be contacted by NHS Test and Trace or someone who works for your local council who will ask for information about where you’ve been recently and who you’ve been in close contact with.
Both the rapid lateral flow and PCR tests are free.
PCR tests are mainly for people with symptoms and can be booked online.
Those without symptoms should check if their local council or workplace is offering rapid lateral flow test kits.
Test kits for pupils and students are supplied for free by their school, college or nursery.
Private tests often come with a charge.
To book a free Covid test, click here
