Scrutable

Posted: **Mon Dec 27, 2021 5:39 pm**

Last time I got some there were none at midnight but was ok at about 9-10am ish.

Posted: **Mon Dec 27, 2021 6:11 pm**

The pharmacies round here put out sandwich boards saying "WE HAVE NO LATERAL FLOW TESTS, PLEASE TRY AGAIN AT" and then the time of their next delivery slot, typically 10am or 4pm.

But yes, I've heard that it's worth trying the NHS app every few hours as new slots become available.

It does seem that the system developed over the summer doesn't have enough spare capacity to deal with winter levels of covid, dependent as it is on wider society functioning ±normally.

Posted: **Mon Dec 27, 2021 6:51 pm**

Gfamily wrote: Mon Dec 27, 2021 4:37 pm
KAJ wrote: Mon Dec 27, 2021 4:30 pm Trying to order LFT tests for a friend in their 80's. I've tested positive so can't deliver.
Screenshot 2021-12-27 16.28.13.png
I've heard that they release a new daily allocation at midnight, though they can go very quickly, so might be worth trying immediately after.
Alternatively, call your local pharmacy and see if they have any that could be delivered.

Kept trying and managed to place an order a short time ago

Posted: **Mon Dec 27, 2021 7:26 pm**

Bird on a Fire wrote: Mon Dec 27, 2021 2:03 pm Well the home PCR tests we ordered on the 24th still haven't arrived. Royal Mail have cancelled delivery two days running, presumably because half their staff have covid too.

Assuming a similar faff to send it back we'll be out of isolation before we get confirmatory results.

If it's a postal test, you might be able to drop it off in a priority post box. It says they're doing pickups over Xmas here and you can search here to find your nearest one.

Found that out when my dad was stressing about having caught Covid off one of the grandkids and not being well enough to drive to a test centre. (Turned out it was just a cold; all his LFT were negative & he didn't do a PCR in the end...)

I guess you're allowed out to post it?

Posted: **Mon Dec 27, 2021 7:53 pm**

raven wrote: Mon Dec 27, 2021 7:26 pm
Bird on a Fire wrote: Mon Dec 27, 2021 2:03 pm Well the home PCR tests we ordered on the 24th still haven't arrived. Royal Mail have cancelled delivery two days running, presumably because half their staff have covid too.

Assuming a similar faff to send it back we'll be out of isolation before we get confirmatory results.
If it's a postal test, you might be able to drop it off in a priority post box. It says they're doing pickups over Xmas here and you can search here to find your nearest one.

Found that out when my dad was stressing about having caught Covid off one of the grandkids and not being well enough to drive to a test centre. (Turned out it was just a cold; all his LFT were negative & he didn't do a PCR in the end...)

I guess you're allowed out to post it?

Yes. Following the instructions in the kit, earlier today I posted one in one of the > half dozen priority post boxes in my immediate area.

Posted: **Mon Dec 27, 2021 8:17 pm**

Ok thanks folks - I won't worry so much about returning the test!

Hope it turns up tomorrow, though. Otherwise I guess we rebook and go to the drive-through one.

Posted: **Mon Dec 27, 2021 9:03 pm**

Bird on a Fire wrote: Mon Dec 27, 2021 8:17 pm Ok thanks folks - I won't worry so much about returning the test!

Hope it turns up tomorrow, though. Otherwise I guess we rebook and go to the drive-through one.

I have no idea what capacity is like in your area but I've done 3 PCRs now, two in October and one a week or so ago. One of the October ones was a postal and the other two were drive through. I got both drive through results in under 24 hours, the postal process ended up taking about 5 days...so might just be worth booking a drive through one anyway?

Posted: **Mon Dec 27, 2021 10:19 pm**

discovolante wrote: Mon Dec 27, 2021 9:03 pm
Bird on a Fire wrote: Mon Dec 27, 2021 8:17 pm Ok thanks folks - I won't worry so much about returning the test!

Hope it turns up tomorrow, though. Otherwise I guess we rebook and go to the drive-through one.
I have no idea what capacity is like in your area but I've done 3 PCRs now, two in October and one a week or so ago. One of the October ones was a postal and the other two were drive through. I got both drive through results in under 24 hours, the postal process ended up taking about 5 days...so might just be worth booking a drive through one anyway?

Fair enough, will do! Thanks

Posted: **Mon Dec 27, 2021 10:28 pm**

Bird on a Fire wrote: Mon Dec 27, 2021 10:19 pm
discovolante wrote: Mon Dec 27, 2021 9:03 pm
Bird on a Fire wrote: Mon Dec 27, 2021 8:17 pm Ok thanks folks - I won't worry so much about returning the test!

Hope it turns up tomorrow, though. Otherwise I guess we rebook and go to the drive-through one.
I have no idea what capacity is like in your area but I've done 3 PCRs now, two in October and one a week or so ago. One of the October ones was a postal and the other two were drive through. I got both drive through results in under 24 hours, the postal process ended up taking about 5 days...so might just be worth booking a drive through one anyway?
Fair enough, will do! Thanks

Good luck! Obviously i dunno for sure how long your results will take but it does seem to be quicker that way.

Posted: **Tue Dec 28, 2021 11:16 am**

...or not

: Screenshot_20211228-111428-287_copy_347x730.png (59.13 KiB) Viewed 3493 times

Being the control group is going swimmingly already!

ETA and Royal Mail have already cancelled today's delivery

Posted: **Tue Dec 28, 2021 1:09 pm**

Refreshed at 1pm and managed to book for tomorrow.

So I guess whatever you're trying to do, hourly refreshing is worthwhile!

Posted: **Tue Dec 28, 2021 3:12 pm**

Nationwide shortage (specifically the nation of England) of all kinds of tests. Government advice is to refresh the website every few hours.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/ ... in-england

Posted: **Wed Dec 29, 2021 11:57 am**

Just got back from the walk-through test centre. There was barely anybody there so I'm not sure why it's been such a faff to book. I guess the limit is processing the samples after collection?

Arrived back to find Royal Mail have finally delivered the tests we ordered on the 24th, so they can stay in the cupboard in case we need them later.

24-48 hours for the PCR results, so we'll get them on day 6 or 7 when we're doing lateral flows anyway. Not quite sure why we bothered in the end.

Posted: **Wed Dec 29, 2021 12:26 pm**

Bird on a Fire wrote: Wed Dec 29, 2021 11:57 am Just got back from the walk-through test centre. There was barely anybody there so I'm not sure why it's been such a faff to book. I guess the limit is processing the samples after collection?

Yes, I assume that’s where the bottleneck is.

Posted: **Wed Dec 29, 2021 2:06 pm**

I had my eyes tested on 15th December and after I went to Boots and on each door there was a sign 'No lateral flow tests available here.' On getting home I printed my code number and got two packets of LFTs from my local chemist.

I needed the eye test because my driving licence is up for renewal and I do need glasses for driving.

Posted: **Wed Dec 29, 2021 2:11 pm**

I only got two, despite there being four adults living in this household because we didn't want to be selfish. We don't socialise much - though we have been before Christmas, and are continuing to be careful and safe. Plus all but one has had their booster - youngest gets his next week - he's already had Covid - Delta variant.

Posted: **Thu Dec 30, 2021 5:22 pm**

try borrowing some off the neighbours

Posted: **Thu Dec 30, 2021 7:33 pm**

Frau HS and I just managed to order a box of tests each. After a week or so of trying…

Posted: **Mon Jan 03, 2022 8:48 pm**

Bird on a Fire wrote: Wed Dec 29, 2021 11:57 am Just got back from the walk-through test centre. There was barely anybody there so I'm not sure why it's been such a faff to book. I guess the limit is processing the samples after collection?

Arrived back to find Royal Mail have finally delivered the tests we ordered on the 24th, so they can stay in the cupboard in case we need them later.

24-48 hours for the PCR results, so we'll get them on day 6 or 7 when we're doing lateral flows anyway. Not quite sure why we bothered in the end.

Brother-in-law just tested positive on a LFD. Can't book a drive-in PCR, and is thinking of not bothering as he's WFH anyway.

Posted: **Tue Jan 04, 2022 10:16 am**

Also, even though I put my positive and negative (days 7 and 8) LFTs into the system, track and trace have been sending me messages as if the day I finally got the PCR was day 1 of infection.

I'm assuming their texts aren't legally binding, but you'd think they'd have managed to join up the different bits of messaging by now.

Posted: **Sun Jan 09, 2022 12:41 pm**

Backlog of 250,000 covid tests in pillar 2

There was a 250k secret backlog in Covid PCR pillar 2 tests this week, affecting 4600 care homes and 70 prisons across the country

Scrutable

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