If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), you must stay at home (self-isolate) and get a test.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of coronavirus are:
- a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
Most people with coronavirus have at least 1 of these symptoms.
What to do if you have symptoms
If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:
- Stay at home (self-isolate) – do not leave your home or have visitors. Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, must also self-isolate.
- Get a test – get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible. Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, should also get a test if they have symptoms.
Who can get a test
You can get a test:
- for yourself, if you have coronavirus symptoms now (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste)
- for someone you live with, if they have coronavirus symptoms
- for yourself, if you have been told to have a test before you go into hospital, for example, for surgery
- for yourself, if you live in Leicester, where there is a coronavirus outbreak
You can get 1 test for each person with symptoms or one for yourself if your hospital tells you that you need it.
This service is for people in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you can get a test for a child who lives with you, whatever their age.
If you’re applying for a test for someone else, and the person is aged 13 or over, check they’re happy for you to get a test for them.
What the test involves
The test usually involves taking a swab of the inside of your nose and the back of your throat, using a long cotton bud.
You can do the swab yourself (if you are aged 12 or over) or someone can do it for you. Children aged 11 or under cannot do the swab themselves. Their parent or guardian will have to swab test them.
There are 2 ways of getting a test. You can:
- book an appointment at a drive-through or walk-through test site
- ask for a home test kit – this will be delivered to your home
If you get a home test kit, you will need to do the test and return the kit in the next 48 hours. You will be told how to do this.
When to apply for a test
You need to get the test done in the first 5 days of having symptoms.
If you do not have symptoms, you can only get a test if your hospital has told you to.
Do not wait
Apply for the test as soon as you have symptoms.
How do I get a test?
We’ll ask you:
- how you want to get the test – at a drive-through or walk-through test site or by ordering a home test kit
- for details such as your name, mobile phone number and address
If you need medical advice about your symptoms:
- England: NHS 111 online coronavirus
This service is for everyone.
Some people can get priority tests on GOV.UK. Go to GOV.UK if you:
- are an essential worker, including NHS or social care staff
- are asking for tests for the residents and staff of your care home
- have a verification code from your employer
Isolation Note
If you need an isolation note, a copy can be printed from the link below
https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/
Please note, we have temporarily suspended appointment bookings being made online. This is to avoid any contact in the surgery with coronavirus. All patients must answer screening questions when booking an appointment, therefore this must be done by speaking to a member of staff.
You can still order your medication online. Thank you for your co-operation.
PLEASE DO NOT COME DOWN TO THE SURGERY WITHOUT CONTACTING THE RECEPTION TEAM FIRST.