Coronavirus (COVID-19) Testing
There are two different types of test:
- A PCR test.
- A rapid (lateral flow) test.
On this page we have gathered together some accessible resources on Coronavirus testing.
It is no longer the law to self-isolate if you get COVID-19. However, it is suggested to stay at home if you can and limit your contact with others.
You do not need to self-isolate or do daily tests if you come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
Routine contact tracing has now ended.
Free testing will remain until the end of March 2022.
People with Coronavirus symtoms should still book a PCR test.
EASY READ PDF documents and wordless stories:
- How to get a test if you have symptoms of COVID-19 by Photosymbols
- Information about quick Coronavirus tests by Photosymbols
- Swab tests (by a health care professional) – how it works by the NHS James Paget University Hospitals
- Testing yourself at home for Coronavirus using a PCR test kit by the UK Government and NHS Test and Trace
- Testing yourself before a hospital procedure by the Department for Health and Social Care and NHS Test and Trace
- Having a home test (wordless story) by Beyond Words
- Drive through test (wordless story) by Beyond Words
- Instructions on how to use a rapid lateral flow home testing kit by the UK Government and NHS Test and Trace
Videos:
- YouTube video talking about how to support someone taking a test by the UK Government Department for Health and Social Care
- YouTube video talking about how to use a Coronavirus PCR test kit by the NHS and UK Government
- YouTube video talking about having a swab test taken (PCR Test)by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust
- Video explaining how a rapid (lateral flow) test works by NHS Test and Trace (from the Public Health England Website)
Other resource links:
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- New App and video call service to help partially sighted people to take lateral flow tests at home service by the UK Health Security Agency, link to App via Apple
- When to stay at home and what to do by the NHS
- Gloucestershire County Council webpage on COVID-19 testing (this includes information about PCR tests and lateral flow tests) by Gloucestershire County Council
- COVID Testing Unit Locations by Gloucestershire County Council
- Postcode search facility to find out where to get rapid lateral flow tests by the NHS
- Information about the two main types of COVID-19 test and when to have them by the NHS
- Information about the rapid COVID-19 tests by the NHS
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) antibody test kit: taking a blood sample – guidance and video to help you do your antibody test by the UK Government Department for Health and Social Care (GOV.UK)