How Much Do Covid-19 Tests Cost in the UK?

In 2020, COVID-19 took the world unexpectedly. It became a global pandemic that needed to be stopped, and the best way to do this was to figure out how to test for it.  Now, testing has become an important part of reducing the spread of this virus. In the past, COVID-19 tests were free across the UK, but now they aren't. So, what is the COVID-19 test price in the UK?

The Importance of Testing for Covid

COVID-19 is a deadly infection that can lead to mortality if not detected and treated on time. Therefore, testing is essential to ensuring your safety and the safety of others. 

Currently, testing is the only method to confirm if an individual has COVID-19. Knowing if you have the infection is important because it would allow you to take the appropriate precautions to make sure your friends, family, and people you interact with are safe. If you think you have COVID-19 or have been showing some COVID-19 symptoms, then you must consult a local health authority. Alternatively, if you believe you have come into contact with someone who has the infection, then you should also seek advice.

Not only do COVID-19 diagnostic tests save the lives of those currently affected, but they also help to curb the spread of the infection. If an individual discovers that they have COVID-19 early on, they can self-isolate or be isolated in a hospital as required. 

What COVID-19 Testing Reveals

There are several reasons why testing for COVID-19 is vital. Here are some details these tests reveal:

• People carrying the COVID-19 virus;
• How quickly and vastly the virus is spreading;
• Specific locations where the virus is spreading.

Key Benefits of Testing

Testing for COVID-19 has various benefits, some of which include:

• Locating those who have the virus and isolating them to prevent outbreaks and spreading;
• Helping to understand the virus better;
• Quantifying the number of people infected in an area to understand risk levels;
• Informing the masses that there are health actions to tackle the virus;
• Following up on those who have comes in contact with individuals treating COVID-19.

How Much Do PCR Covid-19 Tests Cost in the UK?

PCR tests are the most expensive COVID-19 tests but tend to be the most accurate ones. A PCR test has a sensitivity rate of 98% and a specificity rate of 100%. The cost of PCR tests in the UK varies depending on where you purchase your testing kit and the type. You can typically find a PCR test in the UK for about £64. 

How Much Do Antibody Covid-19 Tests Cost in the UK?

An antibody test checks to see if your body now has antibodies because you had COVID-19 in the past. These tests use a blood sample and are highly efficient, with a sensitivity rate of over 99% and a specificity rate of over 99%. Keep in mind that these tests do not check if you currently have the virus. Also, you cannot run this test until after 14 days since your last COVID-19 symptom.

The COVID test cost is about £49, depending on your location in the UK. Many testing centres offer two types of antibody testing, with the first test checking the antibodies your body has made from a past infection. The second test would scan for antibodies created from taking the COVID-19 vaccine.

How Much Do Antigen Covid-19 Tests Cost in the UK?

Antigen tests are the most affordable and quickest COVID-19 tests. A single COVID test price is about £1.67, and you can see accurate results in 15 minutes. These tests have a sensitivity rate of 98.3% and a specificity rate of 99.6%. You can also call an antigen test a lateral flow test (LFT). 

If you are looking for two top-notch antigen testing products, you can opt for a Flowflex antigen test or consider buying Healgen testing kits. That said, you might need to take a PCR test as a requirement for international travel.

Conclusion

The importance of testing for COVID-19 cannot be overemphasized, from treating the virus to protecting our communities. COVID-19 test cost in the UK varies based on location and type. So, the price of the test you want to take depends on its type and where you live.