How Do I Check if a Positive Covid Email is genuine?

[Chris Truelove]

An Employee has produced an email saying he has tested positive for Covid but the email does not look quite right, it is not like previous emails I have seen, though the from email address seems to be correct, does anyone know what the genuine email text should be? Here is the one I received, I have a feeling it may have been a negative result email that has been edited to make it look like a positive. The bit that stood out was the phrase "has come back positive" it does not seen the correct terminology.

Hello ***************
Birth Date – ***********
Test date: **********

Your recent coronavirus test has come back positive.

Please enter your result into the NHS COVID-19 app as soon as possible using this code: *******

This will update your self-isolation advice on the app. No personal data will be shared when you enter your test result into the app.

If you have been advised to continue isolating, the app has all the latest guidance on self-isolation and what support is available to you.

Please make sure that you have updated your app to the latest version. Some older versions of the app do not support the latest test codes.

If you do not have the app, please download it now to help protect your loved ones and the NHS. It’s free. Just search for ‘NHS COVID-19’ in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

 

[Aniela]

The bit that stood out was the phrase "has come back positive" it does not seen the correct terminology.

Nothing wrong with that terminology. That sentence is the exact same in positive and negative emails; apart from the negative or positive word.

However, the rest of the email is what shows your employee is lying and has doctored the email.

The positive result email, tells you to self-isolate and details on when you should do it from.

Only the negative result emails states the section about "If you have been advised to continue isolating, the app has all the latest guidance on self-isolation and what support is available to you."

Despite this, you may want to be careful about taking action on this and just take this one on the chin.

It was only because of your lack of English reading comprehension, did you find they've lied. You've essentially called an employee a liar about a health related issue, because of a mistake on your part, which may not go down well.

 

[DontAsk]

It was only because of your lack of English reading comprehension, did you find they've lied. You've essentially called an employee a liar about a health related issue, because of a mistake on your part, which may not go down well.

That's a bit strong. I see no evidence of lack of comprehension, only a question about terminology that may or may not be used.

If the employee is lying, they are lying. It doesn't matter how that comes to light.

 

[cjd]

This is a real one - negative..

Dear
Birth date
Test date: 30 June 2021
NHS Number: XXX XXX XXX

Your coronavirus lateral flow test result is negative. It’s likely you were not infectious when the test was done.

Keep following coronavirus advice including:

• regular handwashing
• social distancing
• wearing a face covering where recommended

Self-isolate if:

• you get symptoms of coronavirus – book a different test at https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
• someone you live with tests positive, or has symptoms
• you’ve been traced as a contact of someone who tested positive

Reporting your results

It is important that you keep reporting all of your test results, whether they are positive, negative or void.

Reporting every test result:

• helps the NHS to monitor the spread of the virus
• helps scientists learn more about the virus
• provides more accurate data that saves lives
• supports people and communities across the UK

If you’re doing daily contact testing at work and are well, you can work today. If all your required daily tests are negative, you can stop testing.

For medical help, contact 111. In an emergency dial 999.

More advice: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus


I don't like "come back positive" either.

 

[Aniela]

That's a bit strong. I see no evidence of lack of comprehension, only a question about terminology that may or may not be used.

If the employee is lying, they are lying. It doesn't matter how that comes to light.

I wouldn't want to try my luck in an employment tribunal for this situation.

 

[Ozzy]

I would challenge it, because if you have a member of staff trying this on do you really want them remaining within your company.
Maybe a statement along the lines of when did the NHS change the structure and wording of their emails?

 

[IanSuth]

This might help
https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/check
Check an isolation note
Use this service if you are an employer and want to check that a coronavirus isolation note is valid.

An isolation note is proof that an employee has been told to self-isolate because of coronavirus and therefore cannot go to work.

Before you start
To check an isolation note is valid, you need:

• the 16 digit reference number on the isolation note
• the employee’s date of birth

 

[Newchodge]

I wouldn't want to try my luck in an employment tribunal for this situation.

I would have no problem presenting the employer's case in this situation. What do you see as a problem?

 

[DontAsk]

I wouldn't want to try my luck in an employment tribunal for this situation.

If the employee lied, they lied, end of.

 

[cjd]

This might help
https://111.nhs.uk/isolation-note/check

That's exactly what's needed, well done

 

[Aniela]

I would have no problem presenting the employer's case in this situation. What do you see as a problem?

The employee got accused of lying about a health situation, purely on the basis that the employer didn't have basic comprehension of a sentence.

The lie was only found out as a side-affect of a false (at the time) accusation from an employer.

Can just picture the employee turning around and saying they had to lie about the result, to get time off work due to bullying in the workplace, with the (initially) false accusation being an example of the harassment and bullying in the workplace.

Regardless of that, I would personally let it slide and instead try to see why my staff were lying about having COVID, as they didn't want to come into work in the first place.

 

[fisicx]

The employee got accused of lying about a health situation, purely on the basis that the employer didn't have basic comprehension of a sentence.

I've read the post again. The employee is not being accused of lying, @Chris Truelove is just asking is the letter is legit as the phraseology seemed a little off.

If the words are correct, there is a way to check the validity of the report using the link provided by @IanSuth

 

[DontAsk]

The employee got accused of lying about a health situation, purely on the basis that the employer didn't have basic comprehension of a sentence.

Simply not true. Read the post again. Comprehension doesn't come into it.

The OP understands perfectly what the document says, it the way phrased that is in question.

English is a very rich language with many, many words that can be used to express a given meaning. I can't recall what my test result said but "Has come back positive" sounds too colloquial to me. It does, however, seem to be the official form of words.

 

[Newchodge]

The employee got accused of lying about a health situation, purely on the basis that the employer didn't have basic comprehension of a sentence.

The lie was only found out as a side-affect of a false (at the time) accusation from an employer.

Can just picture the employee turning around and saying they had to lie about the result, to get time off work due to bullying in the workplace, with the (initially) false accusation being an example of the harassment and bullying in the workplace.

Regardless of that, I would personally let it slide and instead try to see why my staff were lying about having COVID, as they didn't want to come into work in the first place.

What a pile of complete and utter rubbish.

 

[NickGrogan]

The employee got accused of lying about a health situation, purely on the basis that the employer didn't have basic comprehension of a sentence.

The lie was only found out as a side-affect of a false (at the time) accusation from an employer.

Can just picture the employee turning around and saying they had to lie about the result, to get time off work due to bullying in the workplace, with the (initially) false accusation being an example of the harassment and bullying in the workplace.

Regardless of that, I would personally let it slide and instead try to see why my staff were lying about having COVID, as they didn't want to come into work in the first place.

You do talk a lot of crap. It's a good job you don't work in HR.

 

[Pseudonymity]

I can confirm that this is a genuine email. This is the template that is used when someone reports a positive result on an LFT (Home test kit).

The code is to link the result with the T&T App for contact tracing and they would also get another email that states that they need to book a PCR.

 

[Pseudonymity]

That's exactly what's needed, well done

This is only to check the validity of an isolation note that is generated by a user that needs one.
The code in the email OP posted has nothing to do with this service, and is only for the track and trace app to link a test result for contact tracing.

Isolation notes are user generated with a very quick questionnaire, that just asks why you need one. The service will then generate a cooky cutter PDF with the reason the user stated with their name, DoB, and a 16-digit number attached.

Since any tom dick and harry can make one on the site at any time, they are pretty pointless, and the verification is just theater so employers feel they mean something.

 

[Interestedobserver]

NHS COVID-19 Notification: Dear (name deleted)
Birth date: (deleted)
Test date: 16 July 2021

Your coronavirus test result is positive. It means it's likely you had the virus when the test was done.

You must self-isolate immediately for 10 days.

This includes the day your symptoms started (or the test date if you've no symptoms) and the next 10 full days.

If this is a follow-up test result, self-isolate for 10 days from the date of your first test.

People you live with should also self-isolate for 10 days at the same time as you. If the people you live with get symptoms, they must self-isolate from the day their symptoms started and for the next 10 full days.

Care home residents should self-isolate for 14 days.

For a child or staff at school or nursery, tell the school/nursery.

For medical help, contact 111. In an emergency dial 999.

More advice: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus


(That's a positive test text after PCR my son received 3 days ago)

He got that having failed a lateral flow test at his football club and being advised to take a PCR test to confirm lateral flow test was correct

Has the employee taken a PCR test?

 

[Newchodge]

NHS COVID-19 Notification: Dear (name deleted)
Birth date: (deleted)
Test date: 16 July 2021

Your coronavirus test result is positive. It means it's likely you had the virus when the test was done.

You must self-isolate immediately for 10 days.

This includes the day your symptoms started (or the test date if you've no symptoms) and the next 10 full days.

If this is a follow-up test result, self-isolate for 10 days from the date of your first test.

People you live with should also self-isolate for 10 days at the same time as you. If the people you live with get symptoms, they must self-isolate from the day their symptoms started and for the next 10 full days.

Care home residents should self-isolate for 14 days.

For a child or staff at school or nursery, tell the school/nursery.

For medical help, contact 111. In an emergency dial 999.

More advice: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus


(That's a positive test text after PCR my son received 3 days ago)

He got that having failed a lateral flow test at his football club and being advised to take a PCR test to confirm lateral flow test was correct

Has the employee taken a PCR test?

I took a postal PCR test after symptoms and received a negative result as a text and an email. The email included an NHS logo and stated 'Your recent coronavirus test has come back negative' Then guff about entering the result into the test and trace website.

 

[Newchodge]

An Employee has produced an email saying he has tested positive for Covid but the email does not look quite right, it is not like previous emails I have seen, though the from email address seems to be correct, does anyone know what the genuine email text should be? Here is the one I received, I have a feeling it may have been a negative result email that has been edited to make it look like a positive. The bit that stood out was the phrase "has come back positive" it does not seen the correct terminology.

Hello ***************
Birth Date – ***********
Test date: **********

Your recent coronavirus test has come back positive.

Please enter your result into the NHS COVID-19 app as soon as possible using this code: *******

This will update your self-isolation advice on the app. No personal data will be shared when you enter your test result into the app.

If you have been advised to continue isolating, the app has all the latest guidance on self-isolation and what support is available to you.

Please make sure that you have updated your app to the latest version. Some older versions of the app do not support the latest test codes.

If you do not have the app, please download it now to help protect your loved ones and the NHS. It’s free. Just search for ‘NHS COVID-19’ in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

That looks exactly the same as my negative email, except for the word 'positive'.

 

[cjd]

I think it was the term "come back positive" that most thought dodgy.

 

[shopomatix]

ASk them to forward you the email then use an online email tracer to find if its genuine

 

[chris00]

Similar problem here.
Does anyone know what the from address is for these emails?
And the email title?
Also what about the name format? Is it "Dear John Smith"?
Thanks