The NHS says there are certain people who are eligible for a free Covid test
Charlotte Smith Senior Lifestyle Content Editor
11:14, 28 Oct 2025
The two most common variants in the UK are Stratus and Nimbus(Image: Getty)
The latest surveillance data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has revealed that Covid prevalence is at a medium but rising level across the nation. The most prevalent variants in the UK at present are various XFG and NB lineages – with two of the most dominant being Stratus (XFG) and Nimbus (NB. 1.8.1).
Signs of the Stratus variant include a persistent dry cough, hoarse or raspy voice, fatigue, headaches, congestion, sore throat, and digestive issues. Signs of the Nimbus variant include “razor blade” sore throat, digestive problems, general fatigue, a mild cough, muscle aches, and a fever, reports the Mirror.
Since Covid is now regarded as an endemic respiratory virus, the emphasis is on vaccinating at-risk populations and remaining at home to prevent spreading the virus if you’re feeling poorly. One method to determine if you have the virus is to take a Covid rapid lateral flow test.
Most people cannot obtain Covid rapid lateral flow tests free of charge from the NHS. They must purchase the test themselves, and they can buy it from some pharmacies and retailers.
The NHS states there are certain people however who are eligible for a complimentary Covid test. You may be able to obtain one free of charge if you’re eligible for Covid treatment because you’re at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill from Covid. Below is the complete list of the 12 groups of people included in this ‘highest risk’ category.
Certain people are eligible for a free Covid test(Image: Getty)You may be at highest risk of becoming seriously ill from Covid if you:
- have Down’s syndrome, or another chromosomal condition that affects your immune system
- have certain types of cancer, or had treatment for certain types of cancer
- have sickle cell disease
- have certain conditions affecting your blood, including some types of blood cancer
- have chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 4 or 5, including people on dialysis
- have severe liver disease
- have had an organ transplant
- have certain autoimmune or inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease
- have HIV or AIDS and have a weakened immune system
- have a condition affecting your immune system
- have a condition affecting the brain or nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, motor neurone disease, myasthenia gravis, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease or certain types of dementia
- have certain lung conditions or treatments for lung conditions
The NHS says: “This list is a summary and does not cover everything. If you’re unsure if you are eligible, speak to your GP or hospital specialist who can advise you… If you work in certain healthcare settings, you may be able to get free Covid rapid lateral flow tests. This will depend on your job role and if you have symptoms of Covid. Speak to your employer about how to get a test.”
How to get a Covid rapid lateral flow test if you’re at highest risk
You can obtain free Covid rapid lateral flow tests from a pharmacy if you’re eligible for Covid treatments because you’re at highest risk of becoming seriously ill from Covid. You’ll need to provide the pharmacy with your details.
- name
- address
- date of birth
- medical condition
If you’ve received a letter or email from the NHS regarding Covid treatments, you should present this at the pharmacy to help verify your eligibility. If someone is collecting Covid rapid lateral flow tests on your behalf, they will also need to provide their name and address.
You can usually find Covid rapid lateral flow tests in a pharmacy(Image: Getty)What positive Covid rapid lateral flow test results indicate
Covid rapid lateral flow tests display the result on the testing device within a few minutes. If you receive a positive result, it indicates it’s very likely you have Covid. Attempt to remain at home and avoid contact with people for the recommended period.
Try to also wait 10 days after the day you took your test before meeting anyone who is more likely to become seriously ill from viruses, such as someone with a compromised immune system. If you test positive and you’re eligible for Covid treatments, contact your GP surgery, NHS 111 or hospital specialist as soon as possible.
What negative Covid rapid lateral flow test results indicate
If you receive a negative result, it suggests that it’s unlikely you have Covid. However, there remains a chance you could still be infected, so it’s important to follow the advice on how to prevent catching and spreading Covid.
If you test negative and you’re eligible for Covid treatments, you should carry out a total of three rapid lateral flow tests over three days (one test per day) if your symptoms persist.
If your test result was unreadable, it’s impossible to determine whether you had Covid at the time of testing. Some tests may refer to this as a void result. You should take another test as soon as possible.