Over the last two weeks, a project team has been working at pace to deliver a programme of rapid Covid-19 testing, primarily intended to enable students travelling to a different address for the festive break to do so as safely as possible.
Most students should be travelling in the ‘student travel window’ of Thursday 3 – Wednesday 9 December, following adjustments to any on-site teaching plans. Full details of what is being offered to students, how they can travel as safely as possible and details of exemptions, can be found in the full message sent to students earlier today.
While testing is primarily intended for students, if a staff member also wishes to be tested, you are welcome to book slots at the test centre St George’s is establishing on site.
Slots will be available from 30 November to 9 December and on 11 and 14 December. Testing will be available for staff who are not displaying symptoms of Covid-19 (i.e. who are asymptomatic).
This testing is also available for staff based at the St George’s site in the Joint Faculty.
Participation in testing is entirely voluntary, on an “opt in” basis, and individuals may withdraw from the testing activity at any point.
For any staff member who has Covid-19 symptoms (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, and/or a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste), the guidance remains that you should self-isolate immediately and book a test at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119. If you or a member of your household have coronavirus symptoms, or a positive test result, it is crucial you notify the University. Advice on steps you should take is available in our Covid information hub.
About the testing process
We will be offering lateral flow antigen tests which are a new kind of technology used to test a higher proportion of asymptomatic people (those who are infectious, but unaware).
Lateral flow tests detect the presence or absence of coronavirus by applying a swab or saliva sample to the device’s absorbent pad. The sample runs along the surface of the pad, showing a visual positive or negative result dependent on the presence of the virus. The tests have been validated by Public Health England. They are safe and offer reliable results.
Staff and students will receive guidance in how to take the test, supported by trained on-site staff. The test is self-administered and involves applying a swab to the throat and nose. The sample is processed on-site, and the results are usually shared by NHS Test and Trace within an hour.
The test currently more commonly used in the NHS is the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test. All positive lateral flow tests will require a confirmatory PCR test in accordance with public health guidance.
Anyone wishing to be tested through this programme is encouraged to have two tests. Lateral flow tests have slightly lower sensitivity than PCR tests but by taking two lateral flow tests three days apart the total sensitivity increases to almost the same.
For further information, listen to the recent Inside Science feature the use of lateral flow tests available on BBC Sounds(first item).
How to book a test
You will need to book your tests by 8am on Friday 27 November. Please book both of your tests at the same time, scheduling them at least three days apart.
Book your test here
For information about how your data will be used in our booking system, see the Covid-19 Asymptomatic Testing Privacy Notice [PDF].
Where to go and what to bring
Our test centre will be located in the Robert Lowe Sports Centre.
Please wear a face covering, unless you are exempt from doing so, in which case you must wear a visor to the site and alert the site manager to your position when you arrive so that additional precautions can be taken.
Please bring your mobile phone with you, which you will need to use for registering for your test. Please do not come to your test if you have symptoms or if you have had a positive PCR test in the past 10 days.
What happens if a positive result is returned from my lateral flow test?
You will be required to self-isolate in your current address for 10 days, undertake a PCR test and follow Government and University guidance. You must inform the University following the guidance in our Covid information hub.
What happens if a negative result is returned from my lateral flow test?
If it is your first test, please go ahead with your second test, unless it is impossible for you to fit that in. If your second test is negative, please continue to follow guidance on restricting the spread of coronavirus.
Please be aware that St George's cannot offer tests beyond 14 December, the cut-off date for this phase of testing set by the Care Quality Commission.
For further information about our Covid response at St George’s, please visit our online Covid information hub.