Q. How does the COVID Bubble Test™ work?
A. Thanks to a DnaNudge breakthrough in coronavirus testing, enabling the 'pooling' of a number of individual sputum samples on the same cartridge, we can now test up to 4 people, on-the-spot, at the same time. We can also test an individual for the purpose of obtaining a fit to fly travel certificate. You can read more about our 'pooling' testing in hospitals here.
Q. Is the DnaNudge COVID Bubble Test™ a PCR test?
A. Yes, our COVID Bubble Test™ is an RT-PCR test.
Q. What does PCR mean?
A. PCR stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction; it is a technique used to 'amplify' and copy small segments of DNA. This is the process that we use for our DnaNudge Nutrition test.
Q. What does RT-PCR mean?
A. RT- PCR stands for Reverse Transcriptase – Polymerase Chain Reaction. It is similar to the PCR test we use for our DnaNudge Nutrition test, but it has an additional step called “reverse transcriptase”. In an RT step, an enzyme converts a virus’s – in this case, coronavirus – genetic material (RNA) into complementary DNA (cDNA) which then allows us to analyse and detect that cDNA using a PCR technique.
Q. How many people can be tested at the same time?
A. We can test from 1 to 4 people, who are in a 'bubble', at the same time on the same test cartridge, using our 'pooling' technique. If you require a travel certificate you must book a 'solo' 1 person test, we'll then provide you with a travel certificate. Travel certificates are only available on individual, 1 person tests, not group tests of 2 or more people.
Q. Can I have the COVID Bubble Test™ if I have coronavirus symptoms?
A. No. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms please do not book at test with us in store or buy a home test kit from us, stay at home, self-isolate and contact the NHS. Thank you.
Q. How often should I take a COVID Bubble test?
A. It is really up to the individual to determine how often you feel you need to have a COVID test. This may be dependent on your job, your individual risk factors, and your social distancing measures.
COVID-19 testing, even when done regularly, is not a substitute for observing social distancing and hygiene measures – including regular hand washing with soap and water for more than 20 seconds.
Q. Why do we need a sputum sample?
A. Sputum comes from the lungs where there is likely to be more virus than a throat or nasal sample, therefore it is a more accurate way of testing for COVID-19. Sputum is usually thick and sticky, unlike saliva which is watery and thin.
Q. What should you do before your test appointment?
A. We advise that you do not eat for at least 2 hours before your appointment; you can drink fluids but only water. Keeping your mouth clear of food debris is important to give a good sample. Sample collection process:
Q. How much does your COVID Bubble Test™ cost?
A. Our highly accurate, gold-standard COVID-19 Bubble Test™ is just £100 for 1 person. For each additional person there is a £50 surcharge, with up to 4 people in a 'bubble' being tested at the same time. If you need a travel certificate you must book a Fit to Fly Covid Bubble Test™ for either same-day or 36-hour results. We'll then provide you with a travel certificate once the test is complete.
Q. Can I have the COVID Bubble Test™ if I have coronavirus symptoms?
A. No. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms please do not book at test with us in store, stay at home, self-isolate and contact the NHS. Thank you.
Q. How do I book a COVID Bubble Test™ in store?
A. Our COVID-19 Bubble tests are available, at our Covent Garden flagship store, by pre-booked appointment only. We ask for a non-refundable deposit to secure your booking.
Book an appointment online now by clicking here.
If you have any COVID-19 symptoms please do not book at test with us, stay at home, self isolate and contact the NHS. Thank you.
Q. How do I reschedule an existing COVID Bubble Test™ appointment?
A. If you need to reschedule your in-store COVID-19 Bubble Test™ appointment to another time or day, simply click here making sure that you have your booking reference to hand. Your booking reference can be found on your original confirmation email.
If you need to change the type of COVID Bubble Test™ you are having please contact our Customer Services team who will be pleased to help you.
Q. What will happen when I arrive in store for my appointment?
A. To keep both our DnaNudge Team and customers safe we will ask you a series of screening questions before allowing entry into the store. A member of staff will also take your temperature. The DnaNudge staff reserve the right to refuse entry based on the answers to these screening questions.
Q. Why do you ask for a non-refundable deposit when booking a test in store?
A. As appointments in store are strictly limited due to social distancing and COVID-safe guidelines, we ask for a non-returnable deposit to secure your booking. If you are unable to attend, if you develop coronavirus symptoms before attending or if when you arrive at our store you fail the temperature check and are refused entry, your deposit is forfeited, and no refund is possible. By booking a COVID test with us you expressly agree to this condition.
Q. If I've booked a COVID Bubble Test™ in store and I arrive with symptoms will I be refused entry?
A. Yes. To keep both our DnaNudge Team and customers safe you will be refused entry if you fail the temperature check on arrival or if you are found to be displaying any coronavirus symptoms upon arrival at our store.
Q. If I arrive for my test, with coronavirus symptoms and I'm refused entry, how do I get my deposit back?
A. Unfortunately, if you fail the temperature check or are found to have any coronavirus symptoms on arrival at our store, you will be refused entry. This is to keep both our DnaNudge Team and customers safe. If entry is refused your deposit is forfeited and no refund is possible. By booking a COVID test with us you expressly agree to this condition.
Q. What do you class as a 'bubble' when booking or buying a COVID Bubble test?
A. A 'bubble' can be a 'family bubble', a 'household bubble', a 'support bubble', a 'small business bubble', an 'office bubble' or any group of people who live or work together. The 'bubble' can be from 1 to 4 people maximum, all of whom must not have any coronavirus symptoms and who must all be tested at the same time.
Q. What happens when I take a test in store?
A. On arrival in store, we'll take your temperature and take a few details before starting your test. You can be assured that we follow rigorous hygiene and cleaning protocols and use appropriate PPE at all times. Please do not attend our store if you, or anyone in your 'bubble' are displaying COVID-19 symptoms. In this instance please stay at home, self-isolate and contact the NHS. This is to protect our store team and customers.
Once in store we'll ask you and every individual in your 'bubble', for a sputum sample – we'll ask you to spit a bit of sputum into a sterile container in the privacy of our purpose-built COVID booth – we'll then ask you for payment and that's it, all done. You'll receive your results via email in around 90 minutes. This can take longer during busier times, please click here to check our current waiting times.
Q. How much does your COVID Bubble Test™ cost?
A. Our highly accurate, gold-standard COVID-19 Bubble Test™ is just £100 for 1 person. For each additional person there is a £50 surcharge, with up to 4 people in a 'bubble' being tested at the same time. If you need a travel certificate you must book a Fit to Fly Covid Bubble Test™ for either same-day or 36 hour results. We'll then provide you with a travel certificate once the test is complete
Q. Can I have the COVID Bubble Test™ if I have coronavirus symptoms?
A. No. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms please do not buy a home test kit from us, stay at home, self-isolate and contact the NHS. Thank you.
Q. How do I buy a COVID Bubble Home Test Kit online?
A. Our COVID-19 Bubble tests are available to use in the privacy of your own home. Buy online today and we'll deliver our easy-to-use home test kit direct to your door (UK addresses only). Choose either Standard or Express shipping, which includes pre-paid return postage by Royal Mail 1st Class.
Buy a test online here.
If you have any COVID-19 symptoms please do not buy a test from us, stay at home, self isolate and contact the NHS. Thank you.
Q. If I buy a COVID Bubble Home Test Kit online how long will it take to arrive?
A. We aim to dispatch all orders as quickly as possible. Orders received before 1pm on a normal working day, are usually dispatched the same day. Orders placed at the weekend or on a Bank Holiday are normally dispatched on the next working day. In the unlikely event that you've not received your order within 2 working days for our Express service, or within 5 working days for our Standard service, please contact our Customer Services team for assistance.
All returned tests are by pre-paid Royal Mail 1st Class and usually take 1-2 business days to arrive back with us for testing.
Q. What are the postage times for the COVID Bubble Home Test Kit?
A. All returned tests are by pre-paid Royal Mail 1st Class and usually take 1-2 business days to arrive back with us for testing.
Q. What happens when I take a test at home?
A. We'll send you our easy-to-use home test kit direct to your door (UK addresses only). At home, follow the step-by-step instructions to complete your test, we'll ask you to spit sputum into a sterile container, then simply return it to us – using the pre-paid box provided. Please ensure that you enclose a signed consent form and completed customer details form for each person being tested.
Once we receive your returned sample it's processed the same day. Results are generated in around 90 minutes and are sent to you via email.
This whole process – allowing for return postage – normally takes around 2-3 working days.
Q. How do I return my COVID Bubble Home Test Kit samples to you for testing?
A. Once you've followed the instructions on how to use your DnaNudge COVID Bubble home test kit and taken your sample(s), return them to us – together with your signed Consent Form(s) and completed Customer Details Form(s) – in the pre-paid and pre-addressed box that came as part of your kit.
Q. I've lost or misplaced my COVID Bubble Home Test Kit instructions, can I have a replacement?
A. If you've lost or cannot find your instruction leaflet on how to use your DnaNudge COVID Bubble Home Test Kit you can download a Pdf version here.
Q. I've lost, misplaced or made a mistake on my COVID Bubble Home Test Kit paperwork, how do I get replacements?
A. If you've lost, can't find or have made a mistake on any of your paperwork for our COVID Bubble Home Test Kit don't worry, you can download printable Pdf versions of all the forms by clicking on the relevant links below.
Instruction Leaflet - How to use your test kit
Return Checklist
Customer Details Form
Consent Form
Information Sheet
Q. Can I get a travel certificate with your COVID Bubble test?
A. If you require a travel certificate you must book a 'solo' 1 person test at £100, we'll then provide you with a travel certificate. Travel certificates are only available on individual, 1 person tests, not group tests of 2 or more people.
You must bring a valid passport with you to the store when you attend for your test appointment. Failure to provide valid passport details will mean that we will be unable to issue a travel certificate.
Before buying a COVID test from us, it is your responsibility to check with your airline and destination country that they will accept our travel certificate. You can see an example of our RT-PCR test travel certificate here.
Q. Which airlines and/or countries will accept your travel certificate?
A. We cannot guarantee acceptance of our travel certificate by any individual airline, travel operator or destination country. Before buying a COVID test from us, it is your responsibility to check with your airline and destination country that they will accept our travel certificate. You can see an example of our RT-PCR test travel certificate here.
Q. How long will it take to get my results if I have my COVID Bubble Test™ in store?
A. Once you've had your test in store, you should receive your results via email in around 90 minutes - this may take a little longer at busy periods. Your results will be sent to the email address you gave us when you registered in store.
Q. How long will it take to get my results if I buy a COVID Bubble Home Test Kit to do a test at home?
A. Once you've completed your test and posted it back to us, we aim to process returned samples on the same day that we receive them. When your test is processed, results are generated in around 90 minutes – this may take a little longer at busy periods. Your results will be sent to you via email to the address on your returned Customer Details Form.
Allowing for return postage this whole process, from sample-to-result, normally takes around 2-3 working days. Please be aware that this may take longer due to postal delays at busy periods like Christmas or during lockdown restrictions.
Q. How do I receive my COVID Bubble Test™ results?
A. If you took a test in store – You should receive your results via email in around 90 minutes - this may take a little longer at busy periods - to the email address you gave us when you arrived in store.
If you bought a 'Home Test Kit' online and took the test at home – Returned samples are processed the same day they're received and results are generated in around 90 minutes – this may take a little longer at busy periods. Results will be sent to you via email to the address on your returned Customer Details Form. Allowing for return postage, this whole process, from sample-to-result normally takes around 2-3 working days.
Q. I've not had my results email, what should I do?
A. You should receive your results email in around 90 minutes if you had a test in store - this may take a little longer at busy periods, and in approximately 2-3 working days – allowing for return postage, if you did your test at home.
Emails are sent from no-reply@dnanudge.com and the subject line will be CovidNudge Test Result. Sometimes this email may be sent to your 'Junk' folder by your email provider, so please check this folder before contacting us.
If you've checked your 'Junk' folder and have still not received your results email within 24 hours for in store tests and within 4 working days for postal tests, please contact retail.covid@dnanudge.com.
Q. What should I do if my result is positive? And do I need to inform the NHS?
A. If you test positive, you and your household will need to follow NHS guidelines which are available online at:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/how-long-to-self-isolate/
You do not need to inform the NHS or UKHSA. DnaNudge will report your test result to PHE (Public Health England), who are part of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), as this is required of us by law.
Q. What should I do if my IgM Antibody test result is positive?
A. If you test positive for IgM this typically means you were more recently infected. IgM is the first antibody produced by the body to fight and control a virus, and in general stays in the blood for up to 3-8 weeks, although this is different for everyone. We advise that you wait 14 days before returning for a further IgM antibody test.
Q. What should I do if someone in my 'bubble' has tested positive?
A. You and your household will need to follow NHS guidelines which are available online at:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/how-long-to-self-isolate/
You do not need to inform the NHS or UKHSA. DnaNudge will report your test result to PHE (Public Health England), who are part of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), as this is required of us by law.
Q. If someone in my 'bubble' has tested positive, but I've tested negative what should I do?
A. You and your household will need to follow NHS guidelines which are available online at:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/how-long-to-self-isolate/
You do not need to inform the NHS or UKHSA. DnaNudge will report your test result to PHE (Public Health England), who are part of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), as this is required of us by law.
Q. If someone in my 'bubble' has tested positive how do we know who it is?
A. We do not share individual results from a COVID Bubble Test™.
Q. If someone in my 'bubble' has tested positive how long is it before we know who it is? And do we all still need to self-isolate once the person(s) has (have) been identified?
A. We do not share individual results from a COVID Bubble Test™. You and your household will need to follow NHS guidelines which are available online at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/how-long-to-self-isolate/
You do not need to inform the NHS or UKHSA. DnaNudge will report your test result to PHE (Public Health England), who are part of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), as this is required of us by law.
Q. What should I do if my test result is indeterminate? And what does this mean?
A. An indeterminate result means that we were not able to determine whether your test result was positive or negative. You may have very low levels of the virus, or you may not have the virus at all. We would recommend that you have another test in around 24 hours.
Q. If I buy a COVID Bubble Home Test Kit online and then change my mind, can I have a full refund?
A. If you order a COVID Bubble Home Test Kit online and when it arrives you do not open the outer packaging, then a refund may be possible. Please contact Customer Services who will provide a return address for your package.
If the outer packaging in which the kit arrived has been opened – then no refund is possible after this point. This is because the kit is sterile and cannot be re-used once the pack is opened.
Q. Can I get a refund for my COVID Bubble test?
A. In store - If you took a COVID Bubble Test™ in store your test has already been started and so no refund is possible after this point. Results will be issued, and no monies are returnable.
Online – If you bought a COVID Bubble Home Test Kit online and it has been delivered and opened by you – if the outer packaging in which the kit arrived has been opened – then no refund is possible after this point. This is because the kit is sterile and cannot be re-used once the pack is opened.
If you order a COVID Bubble Home Test Kit online and when it arrives you do not open the outer packaging, then a refund may be possible. Please contact Customer Services who will provide a return address for your package.
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For all Retail COVID Testing enquiries please email retail.covid@dnanudge.com
Need to reschedule an existing COVID Bubble Test™ appointment? Just click here
For all business enquiries please email business@dnanudge.com
For all customer enquiries please email customerservices@dnanudge.com
