Haygarth Medical Centres
When to get tested for Covid-19, with and without symptoms
With symptoms
‘PCR’ tests
When to take the test:
- If you have Covid-19 symptoms
- To confirm your positive lateral flow test result
How long it takes
- These tests are processed in labs
- Most results are returned the next day but can take up to 3 days
Get a test
- At a test site
- At home
Without symptoms
Rapid ‘lateral flow’ tests
When to take the test
Twice weekly when you do not have symptoms if you:
- Volunteer
- Are an unpaid carer
- Can’t work from home
- Participate in a testing scheme in your workplace or education setting
You may also be asked to take a test for other reasons, such as before attending an event.
How long it takes
- Result processed by device
- Around 30 minutes
Get a test
- At home
- From school or college
- Collect from a test site
- At your university
- From work
- From your nursery
Anyone with coronavirus symptoms should self-isolate and get a test
Coronavirus symptoms are:
- a new continuous cough
- a high temperature
- loss of or change to sense of smell or taste
Your local health board may offer you a test if you feel unwell, even if you don’t have coronavirus symptoms. Unless you develop one of the three recognised symptoms, you and your household do not have to self-isolate.
- Do not visit your GP surgery or hospital to request a test, as you may infect others.
How to get a test if you have coronavirus symptoms
If you have coronavirus symptoms you need to take a test within the first 5 days of having symptoms as the test checks if you have coronavirus right now and not if you’ve already had the virus.
You can apply for a test for yourself or someone in your household with symptoms. This includes adults and children, including those under 5.
Who is eligible for testing and how to get a test
Further guidance on who is eligible for testing and how to get a test is available from the Welsh Government online