COVID-19: Getting a Coronavirus Test

If you have symptoms such as a new continuous cough; a high temperature; loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia), you should self-isolate at home and then order a test online.

You can get a throat and nose swab test for whether you currently have coronavirus.

Anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) can ask for a free test to check if they have the virus. This is called an antigen test.

Please DO NOT contact your GP surgery to request a test for COVID-19. But if you’re worried about your symptoms visit NHS 111 Online.

Frontline primary care staff are now starting to be tested for antigens if they think they may have had the virus.

A positive result means you had coronavirus when the test was done.

If you get a positive result, you, and anyone you live with must keep self-isolating.

Everyone in your support bubble must also keep self-isolating. If you have symptoms, self-isolate for at least 7 days from when your symptoms started. Anyone who does not have symptoms must self-isolate for 14 days.

There is another type of test (antibody test) that checks if you’ve already had the virus. This test is not widely available yet. Find out more here.

(Sources: NHS.UK, Gov.UK.)