Health bosses say ‘do not book tests unless you feel ill – you may block a genuine Covid carrier’

But it also emphasised that those who are not displaying any symptoms “should avoid booking a test, as they could be taking the place of someone who needs one”.

It issued the renewed advice today, amid claims that many people in Northern Ireland are not able to obtain tests, as the GB-based UK central booking service creaks under the growing weight of applications.

The PHA reminds people that the symptoms of COVID-19 are:

~ A high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature);

OR

~ A new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual);

OR

~ A loss of or change in sense of smell or taste.

The PHA said: “You should get tested in the first three days of coronavirus symptoms appearing, although testing is considered effective up until day five.

“Booking a test is straightforward – just visit www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test, complete the online form, and you’ll be offered a test at your nearest fixed or mobile testing unit.

“If you have questions about a test you’ve booked or are having trouble booking a test, you can call 119.

“Booking can be made for morning test slots from 6pm the previous day

“Afternoon booking slots are released at 10am on the day of testing.”

Jim Wells: Young people in Northern Ireland ‘out of control’ over coronavirus adviceFULL STATEMENT: DUP issues nameless missive contradicting its own party leader on BrexitA message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Alistair Bushe

Editor