Testing for coronavirus
Last checked 9 April 2021
Anybody with symptoms for coronavirus can get a free PCR test to check if they currently have the virus.
Who can have a test?
You can get a test to check if you have coronavirus if:
- You have any of the three main coronavirus symptoms - a new continuous cough, fever, or, a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste (anosmia).
- you’ve been asked to get a test by a local council or contact tracers
- you’re taking part in a government pilot project
- you’ve been asked to get a test to confirm a positive result
- you’ve received an unclear result and were told to get a second test
- you need to get a test for someone you live with who has symptoms
- you’re in the National Tactical Response Group
If you have symptoms, you and everyone you live with must immediately self-isolate. Do not leave home until you get your test results, except to post a test kit or for a PCR test appointment.
How to book a test
Book an appointment at a local drive-through or walk through test site. You must book a test before you visit any test site.
Or ask for a home test kit which will be delivered to your home. This needs to be done and returned within 48 hours.
Book a test or ask for a home test kit via the NHS website: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
Call 119. The Testing call centre is open from 7am to 11pm and can be accessed by people with speech or language difficulties as well as by people whose first language isn't English.
Rapid Covid-19 tests for anyone without symptoms
Everyone in Peterborough can now get free, regular, rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing.
Keyworkers, those who can't work at home and households with children in school, childcare or support bubbles have already been getting tested .
But from 9 April, all local people without symptoms are being urged to take two tests a week to help keep cases low and the journey out of lockdown on track.
One in three people with COVID-19 don't have any symptoms and can spread the virus without knowing.
Where to get the rapid tests
You can get tested at council-run community testing sites or collect home-testing kits from pharmacies and NHS Test and Trace sites. Or order online for home delivery.
Workplaces, schools and colleges are also testing on site.
If you test at home
You must register your results online or by calling 119.
If the result is positive you and anyone you live with should self-isolate immediately and you must also get a second, lab, test to confirm the result.
More information
Full details of local testing sites, how to book a test, take one at home, order testing kits and questions and answers on rapid testing are on Peterborough City Council’s website below.
Test and Trace service
Find out about what happens if you test positive for coronavirus (Covid-19) or have had close contact with someone who has tested positive.
Read more on the government website
Local contact tracing
Peterborough City Council working closely with NHS Test and Trace to contact people who have tested positive for Covid-19, giving them help, advice and support to self-isolate, in a further bid to crack down on the pandemic.
Anyone who is concerned by being contacted can call the council or local community hub to check the identity of the tracer on 0345 045 5219.
Read more on Peterborough City Council's website
Test and Trace support payment
A one-off £500 support payment is now on offer to some people on lower incomes to help make up for any lost pay due to staying home to self isolate.
Read more about the payment and how to apply on the Peterborough City Council website.
Tell us about your experience of care
NHS and social care staff are doing everything they can to keep us well during these challenging times, but there may be things that could be improved.
Your feedback can help services spot issues that are affecting care for you and your loved ones.
NHS Covid-19 App launched
The app uses Apple and Google's automated contact-tracing technology.
It keeps an anonymous log of other users you have been close to. And if any one tests positive for the virus, an alert is sent out.
For the app to work, your smartphone must be switched on and Bluetooth enabled. Through the day it uses your mobile/wifi data to download the latest listings about venue/ other users with positive tests.
You can also use the app to:
- Check risk levels in your postcode district
- Check symptoms
- Book a Covid-19 test/get your results.
- Get self-isolation advice
- Sign into venues using the built-in QR scanner.
More details: https://www.covid19.nhs.uk/
Where to get a private Covid test
The Department of Health and Social Care has a list of private (non-NHS) providers that can carry out tests to detect if you have coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
You must pay for these tests yourself.
These providers – listed in alphabetical order – have declared that they meet the Government’s minimum standards for providers.
However, they not endorsed or recommended by the Government and you should research them yourself.
There are two lists:
- Test to Release for international travel
- Domestic Covid-19 testing
Finding out if you have had coronavirus
The Government is starting to offer antibody tests and giving priority to NHS and care home staff.
Clinicians will also be able to request the tests for patients in both hospital and social care settings if they think it’s appropriate.
This is a blood test which looks for antibodies to see if someone has already had the virus.
If you receive a positive antibody result it does not mean that you’re immune, or that you cannot pass on the virus to others. It also does not mean that you can ignore social distancing measures.
Read more on the Government website
Find out more
Peterborough City Council have published some useful information about how Test and Trace works locally. And what their plan is to manage local outbreaks of Covid-19.
