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Coronavirus test online slots booked up within hour of site reopening Coronavirus test online slots booked up within hour of site reopening
(30 minutes later)
Coronavirus tests for UK key workers were booked up through the government website within an hour of it reopening, apart from some in Scotland.Coronavirus tests for UK key workers were booked up through the government website within an hour of it reopening, apart from some in Scotland.
The site had to close to new applicants within hours of launching on Friday, after 46,000 people tried to access it. Some 16,000 bookings were made.The site had to close to new applicants within hours of launching on Friday, after 46,000 people tried to access it. Some 16,000 bookings were made.
Home testing kits became unavailable less than 15 minutes after bookings reopened on Saturday morning.Home testing kits became unavailable less than 15 minutes after bookings reopened on Saturday morning.
Tests at drive-through sites in England were booked up within an hour.Tests at drive-through sites in England were booked up within an hour.
Requests for drive-through tests in Scotland are still currently available on the site.Requests for drive-through tests in Scotland are still currently available on the site.
Key workers in Wales and Northern Ireland cannot currently book tests online.
No 10 has said appointments for tests at drive-through centres and home testing kits would become available each day from 08:00 BST, with their release staggered throughout the day.No 10 has said appointments for tests at drive-through centres and home testing kits would become available each day from 08:00 BST, with their release staggered throughout the day.
Dr Simon Eccles, chief clinical information officer at NHS Digital, said an "amazing team" had worked "all night" to enable the site to reopen on Saturday.Dr Simon Eccles, chief clinical information officer at NHS Digital, said an "amazing team" had worked "all night" to enable the site to reopen on Saturday.
After home testing kits were booked up, he wrote on Twitter: "I know it's frustrating but we're developing more lab, supply and logistics capacity every day.After home testing kits were booked up, he wrote on Twitter: "I know it's frustrating but we're developing more lab, supply and logistics capacity every day.
"If we'd waited until we had the full 100k, to launch, no-one would have had a test today.""If we'd waited until we had the full 100k, to launch, no-one would have had a test today."
Prof Stephen Powis, medical director of NHS England, urged key workers showing Covid-19 symptoms to book a test on the government website. Prof Stephen Powis, medical director of NHS England, urged key workers showing Covid-19 symptoms to book a test online.
He told BBC Breakfast there was now capacity for more than 50,000 daily tests - and that reaching 100,000 a day by Thursday remained "the aim".He told BBC Breakfast there was now capacity for more than 50,000 daily tests - and that reaching 100,000 a day by Thursday remained "the aim".
"The NHS has committed to capacity of 25,000 within NHS laboratories and we are on trajectory for that capacity to be in place," he said."The NHS has committed to capacity of 25,000 within NHS laboratories and we are on trajectory for that capacity to be in place," he said.
Prof Powis added the test people can book online is a swab test to determine whether people currently have the virus - rather than whether they have had it in the past.Prof Powis added the test people can book online is a swab test to determine whether people currently have the virus - rather than whether they have had it in the past.
"I would urge people who fit in that criteria, key workers, to go back onto the website as more appointments become available," he said. Natalie's story: 'Disgusting waste of time and fuel'
'Disgusting waste of time and fuel'
Natalie Orton-Rose, from Leicester, said she managed to book a test on Friday but was turned away after she arrived at the drive-through centre.Natalie Orton-Rose, from Leicester, said she managed to book a test on Friday but was turned away after she arrived at the drive-through centre.
The property manager for Poundland, who is classed as a key worker, said she has been self-isolating after being told by her doctor that it was likely she had Covid-19. The property manager for Poundstretcher, who is classed as a key worker, said she has been self-isolating after being told by her doctor that it was likely she had Covid-19.
She said she requested a test at 07:00 BST on Friday and "finally" got a code to book an appointment at 15:00. Natalie, 34, said she requested a test at 07:00 BST on Friday and "finally" got a code to book an appointment at 15:00.
"I drove an hour from my home in Leicester [to the test centre in Nottingham] and sat waiting for half an hour in the queue only to be told actually they had no more tests left," she said."I drove an hour from my home in Leicester [to the test centre in Nottingham] and sat waiting for half an hour in the queue only to be told actually they had no more tests left," she said.
"I am absolutely disgusted. It is bad enough that my closest test centre is an hour away but then to waste my time and fuel... I think the government and public need to be aware that just because you have an appointment and turn up doesn't mean you'll get the very much needed test.""I am absolutely disgusted. It is bad enough that my closest test centre is an hour away but then to waste my time and fuel... I think the government and public need to be aware that just because you have an appointment and turn up doesn't mean you'll get the very much needed test."
Can I get a test?Can I get a test?
Anyone classified as an "essential worker" who is showing symptoms can request a test in England.Anyone classified as an "essential worker" who is showing symptoms can request a test in England.
The list includes NHS and social care staff, teachers, police officers and transport workers.The list includes NHS and social care staff, teachers, police officers and transport workers.
They and their family can also request a test if someone in their household shows symptoms.They and their family can also request a test if someone in their household shows symptoms.
How will I be tested?How will I be tested?
The test involves taking a swab of the nose and the back of the throat.The test involves taking a swab of the nose and the back of the throat.
There are two ways to get a test: at a testing site, or with a home testing kit.There are two ways to get a test: at a testing site, or with a home testing kit.
Home kits will initially be limited but are being sent to NHS staff.Home kits will initially be limited but are being sent to NHS staff.
Most people will get their test results by text within two days.Most people will get their test results by text within two days.
When can I go back to work?When can I go back to work?
Provided you and/or those in your household have not tested positive, you can go back to work.Provided you and/or those in your household have not tested positive, you can go back to work.
That is so long as you are well enough and have not had a high temperature for 48 hours.That is so long as you are well enough and have not had a high temperature for 48 hours.
Are you one of the key workers? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you one of the key workers? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
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