Testing And Tracing

Guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19) testing, including who is eligible for a test and how to get tested.

You can get a swab test to check if you currently have COVID-19. Anyone with coronavirus symptoms can get a test.

Anyone with symptoms can get a COVID-19 test, whatever their age. Coronavirus symptoms are;

  • A high temperature
  • A new, continuous cough
  • A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

If you do not have symptoms, you can;

Register A Home Testing Kit
This advice applies to home swab test kits that are sent to a lab for processing (PCR tests).

Once you’ve taken your sample, you must register it via the link below so that we can send your results to you;

Record A Rapid Flow Test Results
If you had a rapid lateral flow test, you should get your result in 30 minutes after taking the test.

You Must Report a Positive Test Result To The NHS
You can report your result online or by calling 119 (free from mobiles and landlines).

We also ask that you report negative and invalid results: this helps the NHS to monitor the spread of the virus and support communities across the UK.

You do not need to report the results of tests that are processed at our labs (PCR tests).

f You’re About To GO To The Hospital
You may need to get tested if you’re due to have surgery or a procedure.

The hospital will arrange this for you. Contact your hospital department if you have any questions.

Testing For Essential Workers With Symptoms
If you’re an essential worker and have symptoms of COVID-19, you’re prioritised to get a test for COVID-19 through the self-referral portal.

See the list of essential workers prioritised for COVID-19 testing.

Employers should direct essential workers to the self-referral portal to get a prioritised test as the employer referral portal is now closed.

Test Sites
We’ve established a network of drive-through and walk-through test sites for people with COVID-19 symptoms. Test sites are open 7 days a week. If you have symptoms you can book a test at a site near you online or by calling 119.

Around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 do not have any symptoms. Anyone can now get regular rapid lateral flow tests without having symptoms. You can go to a rapid lateral flow test site to get a rapid test.

Find out about regular rapid tests if you do not have symptoms on NHS.UK.

Coronavirus Test Site Locations Nearest To Langthorne Medical Centre
Covid-19 cases are very high and are on the rise across every area of Waltham Forest. Testing capacity in Waltham Forest has been increased in Watham Forest to make it easier for residents to get tested. Mobile Testing Units have been set up at various locations and we have recently introduced the Jubilee Centre.

These sites are part of the community testing programme and offer a Lateral Flow Test (LFT) which allows people who have no symptoms to know if they may be infected. It’s a rapid test, and you can get a result on the same day.

All of our other sites listed below offer a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests. It takes some time to get the results because they are usually processed in a laboratory. Many people get their result the next day, but it may take up to 3 days. It is important that you get a PCR test if you have symptoms.

The nearest testing sites to the Langthorne Medical Centre are;

  • Church Lane car park, Leytonstone E11 1HG (Please note: this site is walk-in only), which is open every day from 8am to 8pm
  • Stanley Road car park, Leyton E10 7E (Please note: this site is walk-in only), which is open every day between 7am to 9pm
  • Jubilee Centre, Cathall Rd, Leytonstone, E11 4LA, entrance via the car park, which is open every day 10am to 7pm (unless otherwise stated)
  • Leyton Cricket Ground, 2 Crawley Road, Leyton, E10 6RJ, entrance is at the corner of Leyton High Road and Crawley Road, which is open every day 10am to 7pm (unless otherwise stated)

You can visit a mobile testing centre but you should not travel by public transport. Alternatively, you can book an appointment or a home test online or by calling 119. You can just turn up at one of the locations listed above for a test which are not mandatory. However, by getting tested you will be able to help protect your family and friends if you are found to have the virus. You’ll also be helping to stop the spread of the virus in the borough and protecting the health of everyone.

You will receive an e-mail and/or a text message with your test results from NHS Test and Trace. Only you will receive the results, outlining the results of your test, if you receive a positive test result from NHS Test and Trace you should begin self-isolating. The government has now reduced the time you have to isolate from 14 days to 10 days.

When coming in for a test, please bring some identification, a face covering (unless you are exempt) and a?Wi-Fi enabled electronic device to register your test with the NHS Test and Trace website. You may also wish to bring a bottle of water for after the test.

Home Sites

Home test kits can be delivered to your door so you can test yourself and your family without leaving your home.

Get Help To Register And Take The Test
You can have a live video call with specially trained NHS Test and Trace staff to help you register and take a home COVID-19 test. Download the free Be My Eyes app for IOS or for Android and go to the ‘specialised help’ section.Home Swab Test Kits That Are

Sent to The Lab For Processing (PCR Tests)
Most people get their result the next day but it can take up to 3 days. Anyone with symptoms can get a test online or by calling 119.

Rapid Test Test Gives Results In 30 Minutes (Lateral Flow Tests)
Find out about regular rapid tests if you do not have symptoms on NHS.UK.

Getting Your Results
How and when you get your results depends on the type of COVID-19 test you’re taking. Follow the instructions that come with your kit carefully to ensure you take the right steps for the kit you’re using.

Get A Test If You’re Visiting A Care Home
If you’re visiting someone at a care home, you may be offered a rapid COVID-19 test when you arrive. The care home you’re visiting will provide you with the test kit. The test can tell if you’re infectious or not within 2 hours.

You’ll also be asked to put on protective clothing (PPE) as an additional step to help protect vulnerable residents. The degree of contact you can have with a care home resident will also depend on the care home’s own regulations and on national restrictions.

Mobile Testing Sites
Mobile testing units travel around the UK to increase access to COVID-19 testing. They respond to need, travelling to test essential workers at sites including care homes, police stations and prisons.

New units are being brought into operation each day.

Satellite Centres
NHS capability is being increased by providing test kits directly to ‘satellite’ centres at places like hospitals that have a particularly urgent or significant need.

NHS Facilities
NHS Testing within an NHS facility such as a hospital is available for patients and some NHS workers.

Across all these testing methods, there is a network of couriers who collect the completed samples and deliver them safely to one of our laboratories. The swab samples are analysed at our labs and the result is communicated back to the individual.

We aim to return test results within 48 hours of a swab being taken, or within 72 hours for a home test.

Resources

All links come from trusted sources, however, if you are unsure about them or any other medical concerns, contact your doctor or pharmacist for further advice