COVID-19 Symptomatic Testing

This page is for people with symptoms of COVID-19. If you don’t have symptoms, please see our asymptomatic testing page.

 

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.

When you get tested for other symptoms, you don’t have to self-isolate while you wait for your result. You’ll only have to self-isolate if your test comes back positive.

 

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 – Royal Mint Experience Car Park, CF72 8YT
• 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 and Treforest which are open from 8am – 8pm.

Aberdare, Bridgend, Llantrisant and Merthyr Tydfil 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 (Cosi), Oakwood Drive, Maesteg, CF34 9TS

Merthyr Tydfil

• Dowlais Rugby Football Club, Blaen Dowlais, Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 3RB

Rhondda Cynon Taf

• Sardis Road Car Park, Sardis Road, Pontypridd, CF37 1JR

Testing Locator

Find full details of all our testing sites, including directions, opening hours, key info and an interactive map:

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 (Former Revlon (Cosi)) (9am – 5pm). Booking required. Drive through. Pre-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.

Llantrisant (2pm – 8pm). Booking optional. Walk in or book via https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test, or by calling 119.

Merthyr (Dowlais/Merthyr Tydfil) (9am – 5pm). Booking required. Drive through. 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 (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.

 

For further COVID-19 information, please see our Testing FAQs below:

COVID-19 Testing FAQs