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Rapid COVID-19 test kits now available from community pharmacies

Rapid COVID-19 Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test kits are now available to collect from most community pharmacies across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, as part of the national Pharmacy LFD Collect service recently launched by Welsh Government.

You can get LFD test kits for you and your household if:

  • you are a volunteer
  • you cannot work from home
  • you are an unpaid carer
  • you are visiting Wales from elsewhere
  • you are travelling to other areas of the UK
  • your health board requires testing before hospital visits
  • you or your partner are using hospital maternity services
  • you are the parent, carer or guardian of a child in hospital
  • you are going to an event that requires it 

There is no need to book or make an appointment. Each eligible person will routinely be able to collect two packs of seven LFD self-test kits for home use. It is recommended that tests are undertaken twice a week and the results must be recorded on the UK Government portal  http://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result whether the result is positive, negative or neutral.

This additional testing provision has been introduced across Wales by the Welsh Government as part of its plans to gradually ease restrictions. It does not change how people with symptoms already access COVID-19 testing locally.

You can collect these rapid COVID-19 test kits from most pharmacies. Details of pharmacies providing this service in Hywel Dda UHB area are listed here: https://hduhb.nhs.wales/healthcare/services-and-teams/pharmacy/lateral-flow-device-lfd/

Alison Shakeshaft, Director of Therapies & Health Science at Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “This new collection service complements the wider testing provision we already have in Hywel Dda and it will help to minimise further transmission of the virus.

“We appreciate the efforts people are making to help protect each other during the pandemic and encourage everyone to continue following the guidance, even if vaccinated, by regular handwashing, social distancing, and wearing face coverings as required, to help us live and work alongside the virus whilst containing its spread.”

If you get tests through your employer or education setting you should continue to do so. Alternatively you can order rapid lateral flow home test kits on GOV.UK. You can order 1 home testing kit (7 tests) at a time.

If the LFD result is positive, the individual must book a COVID-19 PCR test for the same day via the online UK portal at https://gov.wales/get-tested-coronavirus-covid-19  or by calling 119 in the usual way. Individuals and their household members must self-isolate while awaiting their PCR result.

Regardless of a previous negative LFD or PCR test, anyone who develops symptoms of the virus (a new persistent cough, high temperature or loss/change of taste or smell) or other cold or flu-like symptoms (including sore throat, runny nose, headaches, tiredness general aches and pains) should self-isolate and book a test as soon as possible through the online UK portal or by calling 119.

Thank you for keeping Hywel Dda safe.

For the latest news and updates from Hywel Dda University Health Board visit www.hduhb.wales.nhs.uk