Your CoVid-19 test queries and observations - the Megathread

milhous

I know there has been a lot of people tested but I'm hearing a lot about people waiting. E.g. People referred by their gp to get tested since last Monday and still no response from HSE.

It might be helpful to put what county you're in as this will probably be a factor.

Unicorn55

Since Mon am 16/3/20
Midlands

Notsomindful

Since 18th , based in Cork City.

michellie

Since Monday morning 16/03. Waterford

A friend of mine in Galway is waiting since Weds.

Sexual Chocolate

Waiting since Thursday. Told 4-5 days. Dublin.

rahmalec

Since Monday, Cork

quaalude

Partner’s been waiting since Wednesday 11am, Dublin south city. He was told he’d be contacted in 3 days.

begbysback

Does anybody have stats on how many tests are taking place each day?

NATLOR

Brother waited 5 days,tested yesterday, 2/3 days to wait for results. Wicklow

uncle_sam_ie

Since the 18th Mallow. Do they text you or does the GP phone you?

Bigmac1euro

Brother waiting since Sunday.
Midlands.

deise18

Healthcare worker waiting since Thursday, south east area

magic17

Tuesday, south

Mollycam

Since Wed morning 18/3 in Meath

michellie

michellie wrote: »

Since Monday morning 16/03. Waterford

Just got the call for my test in an hour. Drive through place is just down the road from here

deise18

michellie wrote:

Just got the call for my test in an hour. Drive through place is just down the road from here

Hope it goes well

michellie

deise18 wrote: »

Hope it goes well

Thanks, hope we're not waiting too long for the results. My 11 year old daughter is being tested too

signostic

How long does a test take at a drive thru from the time you queue till you are finished? how many tests would a single PHN perform in a day at a drive thru?

tringle

signostic wrote: »

How long does a test take at a drive thru from the time you queue till you are finished? how many tests would a single PHN perform in a day at a drive thru?

Less than 10 minutes, i think they have them scheduled for every 10 minutes

aquarius10

Since 8am Thursday morning - Co. Clare

michellie

signostic wrote: »

How long does a test take at a drive thru from the time you queue till you are finished? how many tests would a single PHN perform in a day at a drive thru?

I got texts for myself and my daughter the appointments were 4.15 and 4.30. We arrived at 4.10 and were gone by 4.22 it was very well set up. No queues where we were.

lawrencesummers

People should really put up a quick synopsis of their symptoms, temperature, duration of fever, cough etc etc along with how long they are waiting, this may show a trend.

dr.kenneth noisewater

Symptoms on the 10th, referred on 16th and still waiting to hear from HSE in Dublin. Seen today that 10,000 people have been tested so far

lawrencesummers

Also out of interest why are people bothering to get tested? I don’t see the need uNless your high risk or working in essential services.

Otherwise you should behave like you have it, and treat any symptoms you have with antibiotics, steroids rest etc etc?

If you get the results back and it’s positive it shouldn’t change anything your doing now.

Fireball81

lawrencesummers wrote: »

Also out of interest why are people bothering to get tested? I don’t see the need uNless your high risk or working in essential services.

Otherwise you should behave like you have it, and treat any symptoms you have with antibiotics, steroids rest etc etc?

If you get the results back and it’s positive it shouldn’t change anything your doing now.

Are you for real?

To protect the spread- if you have it you need to self isolate.

youandme13

Waiting since last Monday. Dublin area. Told by GP would be contacted in 48-72 hours but still no contact from the HSE.

Had sore throat then a cough and fever and chills. Mostly gone now although cough is coming and going

lawrencesummers

Fireball81 wrote: »

Are you for real?

To protect the spread- if you have it you need to self isolate.

Are you not isolating already?

michellie

lawrencesummers wrote: »

Also out of interest why are people bothering to get tested? I don’t see the need uNless your high risk or working in essential services.

Otherwise you should behave like you have it, and treat any symptoms you have with antibiotics, steroids rest etc etc?

If you get the results back and it’s positive it shouldn’t change anything your doing now.

Because I want to know and so would others around me who are high risk.

lawrencesummers

michellie wrote: »

Because I want to know and so would others around me who are high risk.

Are you sick?

michellie

lawrencesummers wrote: »

Are you sick?

Yes, since last Saturday

lawrencesummers

michellie wrote: »

Yes, since last Saturday

I’m not being smart here, but surely a test result either way is not going to have an impact on what you do, with the exception of needing hospitalisation. There is no magic medicine that cures this, so testing is largely a waste of time.

Your either positive or negative, but won’t know for 3/4 days and have to behave in the meantime as if your are infected because you have symptoms treating whatever symptoms you have as the doctor ordered.

If your test result comes back negative it means a few possibilities. The virus could have run its course and not shown up, the test could give a false result So you could still infect others and you are still open to being infected from others so you need to continue with whatever isolation you are doing.

I can understand the need for frontline staff being tested, and people that are very ill or have a history of respiratory illness where they deteriorate quickly but because of the lack of a cure, and the delay in getting tested and reviving results - (pretty much a week) Anybody with a mild flu, cough, fever is pretty much wasting their time.

lawrencesummers

Just for context.
Wife referred for test last Wednesday in cork, fever, chest pains, difficulty breathing, bad asthma.

Also have 4 yr old with multiple hospitalisation for viral pneumonia, suspected asthmatic on daily inhalers and regular steroid and antibiotic prescriptions, no symptoms so far but very high risk for this. We have been taking precautions for 6 weeks now with her.

All of us in one house, if one is infected then we sure as sh1t all are

Doctor prescribed antibiotic and 3 days steroids for wife, 2 bad days sick and on the mend now. No sign of test, will probably hear on Monday.

Don’t need the test now, and can’t read anything into a negative result
As virus could well have passed, and we won’t be doing anything for the next 2 weeks anyway.

rustynutz

Was referred for testing by GP on the 12th with my son who had high temperature for days and all other symptoms, myself and partner had a headache and dry cough, other kid had high temperature also. Still haven't been tested, we are all better now and have been self isolating since

SR1990

Waiting since around 8:15am Monday 16th. Dublin.

Deirdre5

was referred wednesday the 18th. I'm in Kildare. haven't heard anything, not even sure where i'm supposed to go because i can't drive, presumably can't take public transport so someone might have to come to my house. gp didn't ask any practical questions like that so presumably hse handle all that...

McGiver

youandme13 wrote:

Waiting since last Monday. Dublin area. Told by GP would be contacted in 48-72 hours but still no contact from the HSE.

Typical HSE strategy - let them wait and they'll give up. Hoping that it will resolve itself (spontaneous resolution in med terms). Pathetic. Another option - mismanagement. Both are rampant in the HSE, sadly.

lawrencesummers

lawrencesummers wrote: »

I’m not being smart here, but surely a test result either way is not going to have an impact on what you do, with the exception of needing hospitalisation. There is no magic medicine that cures this, so testing is largely a waste of time.

The WHO would strongly disagree that testing is a waste of time. They are telling countries to "test, test, test" in order to identify where the virus is and work to slow the spread. I'd listen to their expertise over a randomer on boards tbh.

Wishing you and your daughter the best michellie.

lawrencesummers

Flying Fox wrote: »

The WHO would strongly disagree that testing is a waste of time. They are telling countries to "test, test, test" in order to identify where the virus is and work to slow the spread. I'd listen to their expertise over a randomer on boards tbh.

Wishing you and your daughter the best michellie.

At no point have the WHO issued that advice. Edit, it appears they might have.
I don’t for a second think anybody should listen to what I say, but it seems a hell of a lot of people are getting tested who don’t need it, or won’t need it by the time they get it. And they are taking away precious testing kits from those that need them.

lawrencesummers

lawrencesummers wrote: »

At no point have the WHO issued that advice.

Really? You might want to check the below link. Very clear message from the head of the WHO to "test, test, test."

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-51916707/who-head-our-key-message-is-test-test-test

babybuilder

lawrencesummers wrote: »

At no point have the WHO issued that advice.
I don’t for a second think anybody should listen to what I say, but it seems a hell of a lot of people are getting tested who don’t need it, or won’t need it by the time they get it. And they are taking away precious testing kits from those that need them.

You are some piece of work.

Ten of Swords

Dedicated testing center being built in Tullamore, let's see if it's built as fast as the Wuhan hospitals



https://www.rte.ie/news/regional/2020/0321/1124569-covid-19-testing-centre-offaly/

lawrencesummers

babybuilder wrote: »

You are some piece of work.

Thanks.

Martina1991

lawrencesummers wrote:

At no point have the WHO issued that advice. I don’t for a second think anybody should listen to what I say, but it seems a hell of a lot of people are getting tested who don’t need it, or won’t need it by the time they get it. And they are taking away precious testing kits from those that need them.

I can see what LS is saying.

Testing those that are asymptomatic or half mild symtoms isn't going to change their outcome. They will be told to stay at home and isolate. Like we should all be doing anyway. Assume everyone has it.

Testing those with symptoms, particularly a fever or difficulty breathing is going to change their outcome/ treatment. They may have flu, pneumonia, infection if they dont have Covid19.

Testing those with no symptoms or mild symtoms is making those with severe symptoms and those at risk wait much longer.

I can understand the requirement to test those who may have had contact with a confirmed case but when theres a huge backlog and services are still in the process of being ramped up, our most vulnerable should be prioritised.

Vodkat

I've a family member waiting on a test:

Woke on Wednesday 11th with a sore throat, no other symptoms. We didn't think anything of it as there was no recent travel or known contact with a confirmed case.
Thursday sore throat, headache
Friday Sore throat, cough, weakness. Rang GP but didn't meet outlined criteria for a test.
Saturday low grade fever, cough and lethargy.
Saturday night developed night sweats and fever.
Sunday cough, mild shortness of breath.
Monday (16th) rang GP as the criteria had changed and test booked.

Still awaiting test, symptoms are completely gone and person feels well. Continuing to self isolate at home.

We're in Galway

Deirdre5

anyone know if testing goes on throughout the weekend?

lawrencesummers

Martina1991 wrote: »

I can see what LS is saying.

Testing those that are asymptomatic or half mild symtoms isn't going to change their outcome. They will be told to stay at home and isolate. Like we should all be doing anyway. Assume everyone has it.

Testing those with symptoms, particularly a fever or difficulty breathing is going to change their outcome/ treatment. They may have flu, pneumonia, infection if they dont have Covid19.

Testing those with no symptoms or mild symtoms is making those with severe symptoms and those at risk wait much longer.

I can understand the requirement to test those who may have had contact with a confirmed case but when theres a huge backlog and services are still in the process of being ramped up, our most vulnerable should be prioritised.

That kind of rational thinking won’t help those who are not able to deal rationally with the increased levels of anxiety that this situation has brought.

A lot of people are getting tested, and have given no thought to what will happen once the result will come back.

signostic

Thurs 12th - headache continued on & off though to Sunday
Sunday slight cough developing and sore throat.
Monday 16th chest tight, headache, sore throat, cough
17th to present all above on & off but for the past 3 nights cold sweats
Sometimes I feel fine but at times the headache rages.
Chest tighter at night when i try to sleep.
Rang GP yesterday 20th & test booked
Staying in (in since last Thursday except for one trip to the shop.)

JMJR

lawrencesummers wrote: »

That kind of rational thinking won’t help those who are not able to deal rationally with the increased levels of anxiety that this situation has brought.

A lot of people are getting tested, and have given no thought to what will happen once the result will come back.

I am waiting since Wednesday for a test, S Dublin.
I have not decided I need one, my GP has made that call.
I am self isolating in my home, family also here.
I would like to know a result so that I can inform all those I had contact with in the 2 weeks previous to noticing symptoms. That is the reason for testing asap.
In my case probably now too late to be getting back to those I contacted earliest.

lawrencesummers

10k people tested so far.
Max number that can be tested by next weekend is 65k.

Working off the 80-15-5 pattern that’s seen around the world mild-serious-intensive symptoms it’s hard to see how any great number of people with mild symptoms can get tested by this time next week.

When you consider healthcare workers and people with serious symptoms are getting priority for tests it’s hard to justify testing people who have a sniffle.

lawrencesummers

JMJR wrote: »

I am waiting since Wednesday for a test, S Dublin.
I have not decided I need one, my GP has made that call.
I am self isolating in my home, family also here.
I would like to know a result so that I can inform all those I had contact with in the 2 weeks previous to noticing symptoms. That is the reason for testing asap.
In my case probably now too late to be getting back to those I contacted earliest.

That’s all well and good, but a negative result By the time you actually get it doesn’t mean you didn’t have it, your behaving like you have it and rightly so, as should anyone on your ‘list’ for the last two weeks, who should be working on the assumption that you had it. The test may well not confirm that.

If the test confirmed that you had it, but are no longer infectious then that’s another thing, but it doesn’t appear to.