This page is for people with symptoms of COVID-19. If you don’t have symptoms, please see our asymptomatic testing page.
NEW: What if I haven’t had my results?
If you’ve been for a Covid PCR test recently, you may have noticed it’s taking longer to get your results than it used to.
Why? Because infection rates are higher and more people are taking tests, which means our labs take longer to analyse each sample.
If it’s been 72 hours since your test and you still haven’t had your results, you have two options depending on if you were given a bar code or not:
- If you WERE given a barcode, then you can call 119. They can track your test using the barcode.
- If you WERE NOT given a barcode, then you can email CTM.Covid.Queries@wales.nhs.uk. If you give them your details, they can track your test that way.
Sites managed directly by the Welsh Ambulance Service and the Health Board do not give barcodes. Currently these sites are at Ysbyty’r Seren in Bridgend, Keir Hardie Health Park in Merthyr Tydfil, The Pavilions in Tonypandy and the former Revlon site in Maesteg.
Getting Tested When You Have Symptoms of COVID-19
If you have any of the three main symptoms of coronavirus, book a test as soon as possible and self-isolate at home until you get the result – even if you’ve received a vaccination. The symptoms are:
- A high temperature – This means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature).
- 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).
- A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – This means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.
To book a test if you have any of these symptoms, you should call 119 or book online.
You can also request a self-test kit to be carried out in the home. People with hearing or speech difficulties can call 18001 119. You can ask for a test kit for yourself or anyone else you live with who is symptomatic.
You will be notified of your test result via text message. Please do not attempt to contact the Health Board for your result, as we do not hold this information.
You must isolate and get tested even if you’ve received a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, as you may still be able to pass the virus to others.
What if I have other symptoms?
You can also book a test if you feel unwell but don’t have one of the three main symptoms of coronavirus. Examples of other symptoms could include a sore throat, headache, nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting.
What Is PCR (Symptomatic) Testing?
When you have symptoms of coronavirus, you’ll take a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test. It involves swabbing the inside of the nose and the back of the throat using a long cotton bud. A sample is then sent to a lab to look for the genetic code of COVID-19.
PCR test results are highly accurate, but results can take up to 72 hours to come back.
Testing Locations
Static Testing Sites
There are six static testing sites in the Cwm Taf Morgannwg area:
- Abercynon – Railway Station Car Park, CF45 4SN
- Aberdare – Coleg y Cymoedd Aberdare Campus Northern Car Park, Wellington Street, CF44 8EN
- Bridgend – Bowls Hall, Angel Street, CF31 4AH
- Llantrisant – Llantrisant Leisure Centre, Ty Penygawsi Car Park, Talbot Road, CF72 8AW
- Merthyr Tydfil – Merthyr Leisure Village, CF48 1UT
- Treforest – Student Car Park, University of South Wales, CF37 1TR
These sites are open for symptomatic PCR testing from 2pm – 8pm, except Abercynon which is open from 8am – 8pm.
Aberdare, Bridgend, Llantrisant, Merthyr Tydfil and Treforest distribute asymptomatic LFD tests during the mornings. Please see our asymptomatic testing page for full details.
Mobile Testing Units
Our mobile testing units (MTUs) regularly move around each local authority, making sure everyone has access to COVID-19 testing. We consider many factors when deciding where to place our MTUs, including the local infection rate and distance to other testing sites.
You can find the current location of mobile testing units below:
Bridgend
- Former Revlon site, Oakwood Drive, Maesteg, CF34 9TS
- Coity and Litchard Community Centre, Heol West Plas, Bridgend, CF31 1PA
Merthyr Tydfil
- Cyfarthfa Park, Brecon Road, Merthyr Tydfil, CF47 8RE
Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Sardis Road Car Park, Sardis Road, Pontypridd, CF37 1LE
- The Pavilions, Tonypandy, CF40 2XX
Testing Locator
Find full details of all our testing sites, including directions, opening hours, and key info:
Hours of Operation/Booking
Abercynon (8am – 8pm). Booking required. Book via https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test or call 119.
Aberdare (2pm – 8pm). Booking optional. Walk in or book via https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test, or by calling 119.
Bridgend (Bowls Car Park) (2pm – 8pm). Booking optional. Walk in or book via https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test, or by calling 119.
Bridgend (Coity Community Centre) (9am – 5pm). Booking required. Drive-through. Book via https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test, or by calling 119.
Llantrisant (Leisure Centre) (2pm – 8pm). Booking optional. Walk in or book via https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test, or by calling 119.
Maesteg (Former Revlon Site) (9am – 5pm). Booking recommended. Drive-through only. Book via https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test, or by calling 119.
Merthyr (Cyfarthfa Park) (9am – 5pm). Booking required. Drive through or walk in. Pre-book via https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test, or by calling 119.
Merthyr (Merthyr) (2pm – 8pm). Booking optional. Walk in or book via https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test, or by calling 119.
Pontypridd (Sardis Road car park) (9am – 6pm). Booking required. Drive through. Pre-book via https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test, or by calling 119.
Treforest (8am – 8pm). Booking optional. Walk in or book via https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test, or by calling 119.
Tonypandy (The Pavilions) (9am – 5pm). Booking required for drive-through, no booking required for walk-in. Drive-through/walk-in. Book via https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test, or by calling 119.
For further COVID-19 information, please see our Testing FAQs below: