COVID-19 Home Test Kit

Do I need a COVID-19 Coronavirus home collection testing kit?

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of COVID-19 coronavirus, if you have been in contact with someone who has been infected or if you have recently been in a country with a high incidence of COVID-19, you can take a test to determine if you have been infected.

How do these Coronavirus testing kits work?

The Coronavirus home collection test kit contains a nasal and throat swab which collect a sample of cells which is sent back to a lab for testing. The lab peforms a very sensitive test that looks for the RNA of the virus using a technique called RT-PCR. RT-PCR tests work by detecting specific genetic material known as viral RNA within the virus. By detecting viral RNA, which will be present in the body before symptoms of the disease are present, the tests can tell whether or not someone has the virus very early on.

Can I take the Coronavirus test at home?

The collection kit will be sent directly to your home. You will use the nasal and throat swab and return the sample in the prepaid envelope to the lab for analysis. You will be notified of the results in 2-3 days.

How do I send my results to the lab?

You will need to post your swab via a priority post box before Midday on the same day that the test is taken. You can identify priority post boxes by accessing the Royal Mail app or website and typing in your postcode.

You should not post your results on a Saturday or Sunday.

How long will it take to get the results?

The results will take 2-3 days once the lab has received it. You will be alerted as soon as the results have been received. Beware of rapid tests being sold which offer instant results as these are not advised by the UK government.

How do I get the results and how will I be notified?

You will receive an email and SMS notification when the lab has produced the results and you can login to our secure portal on our website to view the results. If you would like to receive an SMS with the test results you can add your mobile number to the form which comes with your test kit and the lab will message you the results directly.

How do I access my fit to fly certificate?

We provide a fit to fly certificate which you can download from your online account as soon as your tests results have been processed by our partner lab.

The requirements for fit to fly certificates vary by airline and country, and are rapidly changing with the global situation. Please download our sample certificate from here to check if it satisfies the requirements for your journey. You can see the latest guidance for foreign travel here.

If you require a passport or travel document number on your Fit to Fly certificate, please email hello@medexpress.co.uk with the subject PASSPORT - CERT, along with a photo of your passport/travel document, clearly displaying the document number, and our team will update your certificate.

Are these tests legal?

Yes these tests are completely legal. These are different to the rapid testing blood Coronavirus test kits which not advised by the UK government

Will these Coronavirus tests tell me whether I've previously been infected or if I am immune?

No, these tests will not tell if you have previously been infected or whether you are currently immune, they will only tell you if you are currently infected. Once you have recovered the virus is eliminated and these tests can no longer tell if you’ve been infected.

Are the Coronavirus tests accurate?

All tests are analysed in a lab using PCR.

• Please note that it is not possible to guarantee that any test kit is 100% accurate and therefore there may be instances where results obtained from the test produces a false positive or negative even when used correctly.
• If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition or if you have any queries about any medical matter, you should consult your doctor or other appropriate healthcare provider.
• You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice or discontinue medical treatment due to the information obtained from any test kit obtained through MedExpress.

Are you offering any discounts to NHS or doctors?

Yes, for any doctors or NHS staff we are committed to providing the tests for no profit. Please contact us at hello@medexpress.co.uk for further details.

Can I use a MedExpress PCR test for the government test and release scheme?

Unfortunately, MedExpress tests cannot currently be used for test and release.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19 coronavirus?

The main symptoms 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)