Fast-turnaround testing on campus
For Loughborough University students, staff and Doctoral Researchers who do not have Covid symptoms but need to know if they are Covid positive
About the fast-turnaround test
It is called a lateral flow antigen test and it detects the coronavirus antigen that is produced when a person is infectious with coronavirus. The test is designed to detect the level of virus in people who do not experience and show any symptoms (i.e. they are asymptomatic), but who could still be infectious and pass the virus to others.
The test produces a result within 30 minutes and does not require a laboratory to be processed.
If you have symptoms of Covid you should book a PCR test through the University’s Connect and Protect service.
If you have tested positive for Covid, you can take a rapid lateral flow test on day 6 of your self-isolation period and another test 24 hours later on day 7. If both tests are negative you can then stop isolating. You should book your lateral flow tests through the University’s Connect and Protect service.
If you are a contact of someone who has had a positive test result for Covid and you are not fully vaccinated, you should book a PCR test through the University’s Connect and Protect service and self-isolate for the required length of time.
If you are a contact of someone who has had a positive test result for Covid and you are fully vaccinated, you should book a lateral flow test every day for 7 days through the University’s Connect and Protect service. You cannot use the home testing service if you have been identified as a close contact of someone with Covid.
Student testing for the 2021-22 academic year
We encourage all students to continue taking lateral flow tests regularly at our on-site Test Centre. These asymptomatic tests can be booked through the Connect and Protect service.
Testing for staff and Doctoral Researchers
Staff and Doctoral Researchers are strongly encouraged to continue testing regularly if they are attending campus to work for any duration. This includes colleagues who have been vaccinated.
How to book a test at the University
Tests are carried out at the Martial Arts Centre on the Loughborough campus.
You should make an appointment via the University’s Connect and Protect service, stating you are asymptomatic.
You will receive an email with your time, appointment details and instructions for taking the test. After your test has been carried out, you should return home/wait for your result.
Your result will be provided for you in writing via NHS SMS/email (depending on what you register) and you will receive an email from the Asymptomatic Testing Centre.
Taking a test at home
A home testing service is now available through the University to those who meet certain criteria.
Please note that the home testing service cannot be used if you have been identified as a close contact of someone with Covid.
To request to use the service
You will need to fill out this form to request to use the home testing service. You will then be notified by email if your request has been approved and sent a confirmation email with a QR code.
Students are still required to have tests at the Asymptomatic Testing Centre (in the Martial Arts Centre) unless they are commuter students or they have accessibility-related issues that make home testing more appropriate. If this is the case, please provide these details when filling out the form.
Collecting testing kits
Home testing kits are available for collection from the Martial Arts Centre on the Loughborough campus or the main reception desk on the London campus. You must show your confirmation QR code when collecting your tests, otherwise you will not be able to take the tests away. You will receive one box containing seven tests.
Logging your test results
As well as logging your results with the NHS, you must log your test results on the University’s home testing kit logging app. You'll need to download Microsoft PowerApps from the Apple App Store or the Google Play store. Log in using your University log in details (you may need to use your ‘@lunet.lboro.ac.uk’ email address), go to ‘All Apps’ and search for ‘Loughborough University Home Testing’. Allow the app to access the camera, Outlook connector and Office 365.
You will then be able to log your results by following the on-screen instructions.