This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52424044
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Coronavirus test online slots booked up within hour of site reopening | Coronavirus test online slots booked up within hour of site reopening |
| (about 1 hour 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. |
| For key workers in England and Scotland with symptoms of the virus, and anyone in their household with symptoms, tests at drive-through centres and home testing kits will become available each day from 08:00 BST, Downing Street has said. | |
| Essential workers can also request a test through their employer. | |
| Key workers in Wales and Northern Ireland cannot currently book tests online. Both nations appear as options on the government's online system but with a label saying no slots are available. | Key workers in Wales and Northern Ireland cannot currently book tests online. Both nations appear as options on the government's online system but with a label saying no slots are available. |
| 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 online. | 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. |
| Natalie's story: 'Disgusting waste of time and fuel' | Natalie's story: '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 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Of course, you can only go to work if you are defined as a key worker, - or you work in a job that is not among those that has not been ordered to stop by the government and you cannot work from home. | Of course, you can only go to work if you are defined as a key worker, - or you work in a job that is not among those that has not been ordered to stop by the government and you cannot work from home. |
| Are you one of the key workers waiting to get tested? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you one of the key workers waiting to get tested? 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: |
| Or please use the form below: | Or please use the form below: |