Testing for people with symptoms

If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:

• a high temperature
• a new, continuous cough
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

You should isolate and book a coronavirus test online or by ringing 119. You should remain in isolation until you receive your test result. If it is negative you can return to school or work once you are well enough to do so but please be aware that if you have symptoms you may be at risk of spreading respiratory virus infections. If it is positive you will need to isolate for 10 days starting from the day after the onset of symptoms.

Covid testing suspended at Wolverhampton laboratory

NHS Test and Trace has recently seen a rising number of positive lateral flow device (LFD) results subsequently testing negative on PCR follow-ups. As a result of investigations, testing at a laboratory in Wolverhampton has been suspended.

Although the lab is based in the West Midlands, the majority of tests were taken at sites in the South East of England. Everybody who may still be infectious is being contacted. We are not aware of any testing in Staffordshire being affected at this stage.

There is no evidence of any faults with any of the test kits and the NHS is advising people to continue to keep getting tested as normal.

People with a positive LFD test result should self-isolate in line with the stay at home guidance for households    with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. They will also need to get a free PCR test to check if they have COVID-19.   Whilst awaiting the PCR result, people should continue to self-isolate.  

If the PCR test is taken within two days of the positive lateral flow test, and is negative, it overrides the self-test LFD test and there is no longer need to self-isolate as long as the person doesn’t have COVID-19 symptoms. 

Precautionary symptoms

Many people with coronavirus have other symptoms such as.

• Headaches
• Aches and pains
• Feeling very tired for no good reason
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Sometimes ‘tummy ache’ in children 

If you have any of these symptoms of coronavirus please Book a coronavirus test online and when you are able to, select the option “My local council has asked me to get a test”. You can carry on going to school or work if you are well enough to do so but please be aware that if you have symptoms you may be at risk of spreading respiratory virus infections. You only need to isolate if the test result comes back positive.

Staffordshire national testing sites

As part of the national testing programme, Staffordshire has a number of drive- through, walk-through and mobile testing units in operation. These must be booked in advance online or by phoning 119.

There is good availability at all Staffordshire testing sites.

There are local sites at:

• Newcastle Ryecroft Car Park, Newcastle-under-Lyme;
• Beecroft Road Car Park, Cannock; 
• Stafford Education and Enterprise Park, Stafford; 
• Hagley Park School Site, Rugeley
• Spining School Lane, Tamworth
• Meadowside Drive Car Park, Burton upon Trent;
• Bet365 Stadium, Stoke.

Mobile testing units (MTU)

There are three units which tour the county, which again must be booked through the national portal. 

*subject to change