The new NHS test and trace service for the public was launched on 28 May. The service is also providing testing for NHS, social care and care home staff who may not have symptoms but could still carry the virus.
The government has just published new guidance that explains how the process for testing works and what to expect. If you suspect you may have coronavirus, the advice is to:
1. Isolate: as soon as you experience coronavirus symptoms, medical advice is clear: you must self-isolate for at least 7 days. Anyone else in your household must self-isolate for 14 days from when you started having symptoms.
2. Test: order a test immediately at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119 if you have no internet access.
3. Results: if your test is positive, you must complete the remainder of your 7-day self-isolation. Anyone in your household must also complete self-isolation for 14 days from when you started having symptoms. If your test is negative, you and other household members no longer need to self-isolate.
4. Share contacts: if you test positive for coronavirus, the NHS test and trace service will send you a text or email alert or call you with instructions of how to share details of people with whom you have had close, recent contact and places you have visited.
For more information, visit the government website.