Testing

What does the test involve?

When you book a test you will usually have the option of taking the test at home or at a drive-through testing site.

The test involves taking a swab of the inside of your nose and the back of your throat, using a long cotton bud.

What should I do if I get a negative test result?

If you have been self-isolating and you receive a negative COVID-19 test result you can now leave your house.

If you still feel unwell you should phone your GP or GP out-of-hours.

What should I do if I get a positive test result?

If you receive a positive test result you should continue to self-isolate for 7 days from the start of your symptoms or until your temperature returns to normal after the 7 days.

Your household should remain in self-isolation for 14 days from the start of your symptoms. If anyone in your household gets symptoms they should book a test.

If you test positive, you will also be asked to take part in contact tracing to help protect your community. This is when someone from the Public Health Agency rings you to ask about people you have been in contact with. This will prevent the spread of the virus.

Key messages:

• You do not need to go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital if your symptoms are manageable.
• If you feel you cannot cope, your condition gets worse, or your symptoms do not get better after 7 days you should call either 111 or your local GP or GP out-of-hours.
• Self isolate for 7 days minimum from when your symptoms started.
• Your household needs to self-isolate for 14 days monitor their own health.

What should I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms?

If you develop COVID-19 symptoms you should self isolate for 7 days from the day your symptoms started. You should also book a test as soon as possible.

If you live with other people your household should self-isolate for 14 days.

Key messages:

• You do not need to go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital if your symptoms are manageable.
• If you feel you cannot cope, your condition gets worse, or your symptoms do not get better after 7 days you should call either 111 or your local GP or GP out-of-hours.
• Self isolate for 7 days minimum from when your symptoms started
• Your household needs to self-isolate for 14 days and monitor their own health

You should now book a test https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/ask-for-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/

When should I get tested?

Testing is available to everyone over 5 with coronavirus symptoms. If you’re not sure if you have symptoms, you can check using the COVID-19 symptom checker (https://check.covid-19.hscni.net/).

You should get tested in the first 3 days of coronavirus symptoms starting.

Where can I get tested?

If you book a drive-through test you can choose your local test centre. Testing centres are available throughout Northern Ireland.

• SSE test centre, Odyssey Car park, Belfast BT3 9QQ
• City of Derry Rugby Club test centre, Judges Rd, Derry/ Londonderry, BT47 6LN
• Craigavon MOT centre, Craigavon, BT63 5RY
• St Angelo Airport, 62 Killadeas Road, Trory, Enniskillen BT94 2FP

A mobile test unit is also available at Newry Leisure Centre car park, Cecil Street, Newry, BT356AU.