COVID-19: GETTING HOLD OF YOUR LATERAL FLOW TESTS

Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs) are not perfect but they are better than nothing:

• The tests identify Omicron as well as Delta, as the test are looking for portions of the virus that are identical, not affected by the new Omicron mutations
• But suffer from the same issue for Omicron as for Delta, which is that the tests do not detect lower viral loads, as is the case in the early stages of infection
• As Omicron grows very quickly in the early stages of infection the advice is:
• Take a test just before meeting people, potentially on the doorstep
• If you've done another test earlier in the day, do a second one at least ,
  

So how do you get a kit?  In the UK, test kits are given out free by the NHS in boxes of 7, which is ordinarily for a week if you are having to take daily tests.

There are two ways you can order on-line:

• Order for delivery to any UK address, not necessarily home.  Delivery within 3 days, proven
  
• Get a "Collect Code" to collect from a pharmacist or other collection point

Given that pharmacists have typically been out of stock, and delivery might be unreliable, the system does let you order both.

Bear in mind the NHS advice:

"Do not use a rapid lateral flow test if you have COVID-19 symptoms. Get a PCR test as soon as possible and self-isolate, even if symptoms are mild."