"I've been waiting five days for a test" - Key worker

Sunday 31 January 2021

The States' enhanced test, track and trace programme is fully underway - with staff working around-the-clock to swab more than 1,000 people daily - however concerns have been raised that some people are having to wait several days before being tested.

Due to an initial four community cases picked up last week, thousands of people have been contacted by Public Health as direct or indirect contacts.

We know there is a backlog of about 1,000 people waiting for a test daily and yet it remains unclear how long people are expected to wait for their booking.

Pictured: Many essential workers are self-isolating due to direct or indirect contact with a positive Covid-19 case.

Thousands of people are being asked to self-isolate while they wait to be called for a test, including essential workers.

We spoke to an essential worker who has been waiting five days and counting after alerting Public Health to his situation.

“I phoned the helpline on Sunday to report symptoms and was told I would be invited for a test,” they said.

“Five days later and I’ve still not heard anything – until I have a test and negative result I am unable to return to work.”

When Express asked the question during the latest media briefing, Public Health Director Dr Nicola Brink said: “I don’t have precise figures on that, but there are a significant amount of people booked in and waiting for sampling.”

Pictured: The latest guidelines for people who should self-isolate have been clarified online.

“I would patiently wait if I was able to work from home but now I feel I have no idea if or when I will be contacted,” the worker concluded.

We have put further questions to the States on this point and are awaiting a response.