Leader of Torbay Council, Cllr Steve Darling, said: “With the current issues around the national testing capacity for COVID-19, we must all play our part to ensure that people in Torbay who need a test, can get one. There is a limited service available at the moment nationally, and those who need testing must be prioritised.
“We understand the situation is worrying and frustrating for those of you trying to book tests for your families, but we ask for your patience and consideration at this time, while national capacity is being built up. Although the responsibility doesn’t lie with the local authority, we are doing all we can, with partners, to support ways of making more capacity available for local people as soon as possible.”
When to get a test
- Only get a test if you have symptoms of coronavirus, or have been asked to get tested by a doctor or a public health professional.
The main symptoms of coronavirus are at least one of the following:
- a fever or high temperature
- a new, continuous cough
- a loss of or change to your sense of smell or taste.
When not to get a test
- If you have been in close contact with someone who has coronavirus you should not get tested unless you have coronavirus symptoms yourself. A negative test result does not change the period of time that you will be required to self-isolate.
- If it is more than 5 days since your symptoms started you will not be offered a test as the test is not effective after 5 days.
- If your employer, school, or travel company has asked for evidence of a negative coronavirus test result, we are unable to provide this.
- If you have been abroad and are quarantining, you should not get tested unless you have coronavirus symptoms. A negative test result does not change the period of time that you will be required to quarantine.
How to get a test
- If you have symptoms please book a test as normal online or by calling 119.
Book a coronavirus test False
- Do not call 111 which is an urgent care service and cannot help with tests.
- Anyone who tries to book a test and is unable to do so, or who is offered a location which is not convenient, is being asked to wait a few hours and try again.
- Temporary local arrangements have been put in place to try and help with delays. If you are unable to book a slot through the government website, please email d-ccg.cornwalldevon.urgenttesting@nhs.net and you should be contacted within 24 hours by someone who will try to arrange a test for you.
What to do next
- Individuals should isolate until they receive a negative test result or until 10 days after the onset of symptoms.
- Other members of the household must isolate until the person with symptoms has a negative test result or until 14 days after the first person started symptoms.
- Full guidance on self-isolation is available on gov.uk.
- Do not stockpile tests. There is no need to order a test in case of future use.
News archive
- October 2024 (9)
- September 2024 (17)
- August 2024 (7)
- July 2024 (24)
- June 2024 (8)
- May 2024 (25)
- April 2024 (19)
- March 2024 (17)
- February 2024 (16)
- January 2024 (14)
- December 2023 (14)
- November 2023 (30)
- October 2023 (21)
- September 2023 (22)
- August 2023 (18)
- July 2023 (17)
- June 2023 (14)
- May 2023 (11)
- April 2023 (9)
- March 2023 (36)
- February 2023 (22)
- January 2023 (26)
- December 2022 (18)
- November 2022 (24)
- October 2022 (18)
- September 2022 (13)
- August 2022 (15)
- July 2022 (22)
- June 2022 (14)
- May 2022 (35)
- April 2022 (23)
- March 2022 (32)
- February 2022 (18)
- January 2022 (14)
- December 2021 (22)
- November 2021 (22)
- October 2021 (25)
- September 2021 (23)
- August 2021 (18)
- July 2021 (26)
- June 2021 (24)
- May 2021 (21)
- April 2021 (21)
- March 2021 (33)
- February 2021 (30)
- January 2021 (27)
- December 2020 (24)
- November 2020 (37)
- October 2020 (29)
- September 2020 (27)
- August 2020 (22)
- July 2020 (37)
- June 2020 (38)
- May 2020 (39)
- April 2020 (36)
- March 2020 (22)
- February 2020 (10)
- January 2020 (18)
- December 2019 (7)
- November 2019 (11)
- October 2019 (15)
- September 2019 (16)
- August 2019 (8)
- July 2019 (9)
- June 2019 (7)
- May 2019 (16)
- April 2019 (11)
- March 2019 (11)
- February 2019 (7)
- January 2019 (11)
- December 2018 (11)
- November 2018 (14)
- October 2018 (14)
- September 2018 (9)
- August 2018 (7)
- July 2018 (19)
- June 2018 (21)
- May 2018 (7)
- April 2018 (10)
- March 2018 (35)
- February 2018 (9)
- January 2018 (15)
- December 2017 (9)
- November 2017 (17)
- October 2017 (11)
- September 2017 (6)
- August 2017 (7)
- July 2017 (13)
- June 2017 (22)
- May 2017 (16)
- April 2017 (8)
- March 2017 (9)
- February 2017 (9)
- January 2017 (4)
- December 2016 (10)
- November 2016 (11)
- October 2016 (14)
- September 2016 (9)
- August 2016 (10)
- July 2016 (11)
- June 2016 (4)
- May 2016 (20)
- April 2016 (14)
- March 2016 (18)
- February 2016 (8)
- January 2016 (15)
- December 2015 (13)
- November 2015 (19)
- October 2015 (17)
- September 2015 (8)
- August 2015 (6)
- July 2015 (19)
- June 2015 (11)
- May 2015 (20)
- April 2015 (14)
- March 2015 (15)
- February 2015 (13)
- January 2015 (17)
- December 2014 (17)
- November 2014 (18)
- October 2014 (14)
- September 2014 (17)
- August 2014 (16)
- July 2014 (10)
- June 2014 (8)
- May 2014 (1)
- February 2014 (1)
- January 0001 (1)