The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a new alert, revealing that Covid-19 prevalence across the country is currently at a 'medium but increasing' level. With new variants circulating, understanding who can access free testing is more crucial than ever for vulnerable populations.
Current Covid Variants and Their Symptoms
Surveillance data indicates that the most common variants in the UK are from the XFG and NB lineages. The two dominant strains are identified as Stratus (XFG) and Nimbus (NB.1.8.1).
Individuals infected with the Stratus variant are likely to experience a range of symptoms, including a persistent dry cough, a hoarse voice, fatigue, headaches, congestion, a sore throat, and digestive issues.
Meanwhile, the Nimbus variant often presents with a severe 'razor blade' sore throat, digestive problems, general fatigue, a mild cough, muscle aches, and fever.
As Covid-19 is now considered an endemic respiratory virus, the focus remains on vaccinating at-risk groups and staying home when unwell to prevent further spread.
Who Qualifies for a Free NHS Covid Test?
While the NHS has stopped providing free lateral flow tests to the general public, who must now purchase them from pharmacies or retailers, a specific list of high-risk individuals remains eligible for free testing.
You can get a free test if you are eligible for Covid treatments because you are at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill. The NHS has provided a full list of the 12 eligible groups.
- People with Down's syndrome or another chromosomal condition affecting the immune system.
- Individuals with certain types of cancer, or those undergoing treatment for them.
- Those with sickle cell disease.
- People with certain blood conditions, including some blood cancers.
- Individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4 or 5, including those on dialysis.
- People with severe liver disease.
- Those who have had an organ transplant.
- Individuals with certain autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease.
- People with HIV or AIDS who have a weakened immune system.
- Those with a condition affecting their immune system.
- Individuals with a condition affecting the brain or nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, motor neurone disease, myasthenia gravis, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, or certain types of dementia.
- People with certain lung conditions or those receiving treatments for lung conditions.
The NHS advises that this list is a summary and may not cover every eligible condition. If you are unsure about your eligibility, you should speak to your GP or hospital specialist for advice.
How to Get Your Free Test and What to Do Next
If you belong to one of the eligible groups, you can collect free Covid rapid lateral flow tests from a pharmacy. You will need to provide your name, address, date of birth, and medical condition.
If you have received a letter or email from the NHS regarding Covid treatments, you should present this at the pharmacy to confirm your status. If someone is collecting tests on your behalf, they must also provide their name and address.
If your test result is positive, it means you likely have Covid-19. The guidance is to try and stay home and avoid contact with others for three days if you are under 18, and for five days if you are 18 or over.
It is recommended to wait 10 days after your test before meeting anyone who is particularly vulnerable. If you test positive and are eligible for treatments, you must contact your GP surgery, NHS 111, or your hospital specialist immediately.
A negative result suggests you probably do not have the virus, but infection is still possible, so following general Covid safety guidelines is essential. If you are eligible for treatments but test negative while symptoms persist, you should take a test on each of three consecutive days.
An unreadable, or void, result means the test was inconclusive, and you should take another test as soon as possible.
