![Illustration of someone getting a test while seated on a bed, along with a health message. Credits: University of Oxford](https://www.ox.ac.uk/sites/files/oxford/styles/ow_medium_feature/s3/field/field_image_main/Screenshot%202022-01-07%20at%2016.10.57.png?itok=iJgfP7Yo)
Illustration of someone getting a test while seated on a bed, along with a health message. Credits: University of Oxford
Changes to testing rules
From Tuesday 11 January, the University’s testing guidance will change, in line with the Government’s advice.
The advice on this date is as follows:
- If you have a positive LFD result (whether symptomatic or not), you no longer need to book a PCR test. The LFD should be treated as confirmation of infection and you should self-isolate in line with Government guidance. Please report your LFD result to both the University and the NHS.
- If you have COVID-19 symptoms: you should self-isolate and perform an LFD test. If the result is positive, you should follow the guidance above. If negative, you should perform another LFD test 24 hours later. If that test is negative, you should book a PCR test, preferably at the University’s Early Alert Service.
These changes reflect the fact that LFD tests are very reliable at detecting positive cases (a positive LFD indicates infection in more than 99.5% of cases), and will help to reduce pressure on testing capacity in the NHS and at the University.
Please visit the Student COVID-19 page for further information.