For what it's worth, i got tested last week..
The nurse taking the samples informed that they're testing covid and other viruses, they take a swab from the back of you're throat and nasal passage.
The throat swab they used a large cotton bud, and bagged it seperately, before taking the nasal swab using a smaller cotton bud and bagging it seperately as well.
She informed me i'd eventually receive the covid result via sms a day or two later (took 3 days due to backlog), and now that i have been tested i was to remain isolated until i was confirmed negitive or positive (came back neg). I was also informed that the other results would be reffered onto my regular GP, and if i needed them i could take it up with him. Haven't bothered as yet.
At the time, she unoffically mentioned that no one in the region has come back positive yet, but it appears to be the rhinovirus that's going around the local schools at the moment.