Next Pathology is the Molecular Pathology Laboratory of Next Biosciences.
The division is headed up by Dr Christopher Maske, a Clinical Pathologist, as well as Dr Yvonne Holt (Chief Medical Officer of Next Biosciences).
Symptoms associated with SARS-Cov2 infection may be absent, mild or severe and include loss of taste and smell, fever, dry cough, headache, muscle and body aches, difficulty breathing and less commonly gastrointestinal symptoms.
The SARS-CoV2 virus is extremely contagious and is a notifiable disease.
The results from the tests are submitted to national authorities and national databases as per local regulation and to inform public health initiatives.
For further information, please contact:
National Institute of Communicable Disease COVID-19 Toll-free Help Line: 0800 029 999
Please note that if you would like to submit your invoice to medical aid then we require a doctors referral note so that we can include a referring doctor name and practice number on the invoice.
Should you require a doctor referral letter, we can assist you by referring you to a telemedicine service, ER Consulting at a cost of R150. The ER Consulting doctors will be copied into your test result and will call you should you test positive. If you test negative, you are welcome to call them for a tele-consult and any advice around your reason for testing.
Next Pathology is a Discovery Health Network Provider, giving Discovery Health Members direct access to the following COVID-19 tests at all our facilities:
Each member of Discovery Health Medical Scheme have access to two COVID-19 PCR and two Rapid Antigen tests, per year, as long as a network provider is used. For more information visit: https://www.discovery.co.za/portal/corporate/covid-19-rapid-antigen-testing
PLEASE NOTE:
Click here to download a table comparing the various testing types.
*All-inclusive = R435 Test Fee plus R130 Convenience Fee plus VAT
Rapid Point of care test. Recommended to identify if you are currently infected with SARS-COV2. Test done with Nasal swab.
If test is negative but you have symptoms, it is recommended that you have a confirmatory PCR test.
Detection of antigens by Lateral Flow Assay (LFA)-based point of care tests (POCT) for rapid antigen detection are indicative of a current infection by SARS-COV2. Antigens produced are specific for the SARS-COV2 virus. A positive test means that the patient is infected with SARS-COV2. Confirmatory PCR testing is not necessary.
A negative test does not exclude infection with SARS-COV2. If symptoms are present or the patient has had a high-risk exposure and the antigen test is negative, a confirmatory PCR test is required.
*All-inclusive = R130 Test Fee plus R43 Convenience Fee plus VAT to this All-inclusive = R130 Test Fee plus R87 Convenience Fee plus VAT
Rapid Point of Care test. Recommended to identify if you have been infected with SARS-COV2 in the past and developed antibodies to fight infection. This test is not used to diagnose current infection. Test done with a drop of blood from a finger prick.
Detection of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) are indicative of previous or recent infection with the virus. A positive result for IgM or IgG, or both IgG and IgM, is consistent with previous or recent infection with SARS-CoV-2 virus. The presence of IgM antibodies alone or in combination with IgG may indicate more recent infection but IgM antibodies may persist beyond the initial phase of the antibody response. Antibody testing should not be used as a diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection.
If infection is suspected clinical consultation and PCR testing is advised. A negative antibody test does not exclude previous infection with SARS-CoV-2; antibody responses may be low and temporary particularly in asymptomatic infections.
Furthermore, the presence of antibodies (a positive antibody test) is not a guarantee against reinfection with the virus or severe disease in the case of reinfection and ongoing precautions must be taken to avoid exposure to infection as per national and international guidelines.
*All-inclusive = R130 Test Fee plus R43 Convenience Fee plus VAT
*Please note that in some instances samples need to be re-run and if this is the case, then turnaround time could exceed 24-hrs.
| Location | Type of testing facility | Operating hours |
| Old Christiaan Barnard Hospital 111 Bree Street Cape Town City Centre |
Walk-ins No booking required |
Monday- Friday: 8am-4pm Saturday-Sunday: 8am-1pm |
PCR Test:
Results 24 hours
Antigen Test:
Results 1 hour
Swift PCR Test:
Results 4 – 6 hours
For more information contact: 011 697 2931
| Location | Type of testing facility | Operating hours |
| Next Biosciences International Business Gateway Cnr New Road and 6th Road Midrand |
Walk-ins No booking required |
Monday-Friday: 8am-4pm Saturday-Sunday: Closed Public Holidays: Closed |
PCR Test:
Results 24 hours
Antigen Test:
Results 1 hour
Swift PCR Test:
Results 4 – 6 hours
For more information contact: 011 697 2931
Covid Testing in the privacy and safety of your home, office or hotel.
| Test Type | Turnaround | Price |
| PCR Test | Results 24 hours | R650 |
| Swift PCR Test* | Results 4 – 6 hours | R950 |
| Antigen Test | Results 1 hour | R250 |
* Swift PCR Test option only available in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Call-out Fee (within 30kms) R650 (limited to 10 people)
Off-Site Swabbing Fee per person PCR R100 | Antigen R50
Bookings essential.
Please contact +27(0)11 697 2932
111 Bree Street, Cape Town City Centre
Type of testing facility
Walk-ins
No booking required
Operating hours
Monday- Friday: 8am-4pm
Saturday-Sunday: 8am-1pm
PCR Test:
Results 24 hours
Antigen Test:
Results 1 hour
Swift PCR Test:
Results 4 – 6 hours
For more information contact: 011 697 2931
International Business Gateway, Cnr New Road and 6th Road, Midrand
Type of testing facility
Walk-ins
No booking required
Operating hours
Monday-Friday: 8am-5pm
Saturday-Sunday: Closed
Public Holidays: Closed
PCR Test:
Results 24 hours
Antigen Test:
Results 1 hour
Swift PCR Test:
Results 4 – 6 hours
For more information contact: 011 697 2931
Covid Testing in the privacy and safety of your home, office or hotel.
PCR Test | Results 24 hours | R650
Swift PCR Test* | Results 4 – 6 hours | R950
Antigen Test | Results 1 hour | R250
* Swift PCR Test option only available in Cape Town and Johannesburg
Call-out Fee (within 30kms) R650 (limited to 10 people)
Off-Site Swabbing Fee per person PCR R100 | Antigen R50
Bookings essential.
Please contact +27(0)11 697 2932
Please note that we are a laboratory providing testing, so whilst we can discuss the suitability of a test, we cannot advise which test you should take as we do not know your specific reasons for doing a Covid test and the requirements for your test result report. It is therefore imperative that you consult your doctor, school, workplace, travel agent, airline etc to confirm this. Consequently we can not be held liable for the choice of your test.
Please note that whilst we strive to achieve our turnaround times and give accurate results, Next Pathology will not be held liable, in any way, if your test could not be conducted, or if your test result was delayed, marginally positive or negative or was a false positive or negative.
