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).
Next Pathology is licensed by the Department of Health specifically for the diagnostic testing of SARS COV-2 (download certificate).
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
A new variant of SARS-COV2 has emerged in SA.
Our PCR test is able to detect this new variant, however, it cannot differentiate between the original variant and the new variant.
Next Pathology is licensed by the Department of Health specifically for the diagnostic testing of SARS COV-2 and does issue an official travel certificate with your results for those travelling.
Each airline has their own Covid testing requirements- it is your responsibility to check your airlines requirements before being tested.
Please note that whilst we strive to achieve our turnaround time of 24 hours, sometimes there are excessive volumes or tests need to be re-run and then this is not possible. It is therefore advisable to be swabbed at least 36 hours before your flight departure. Next Pathology cannot be held liable if results are not released in time for a scheduled flight.
Discovery Health Medical Scheme members have access to two funded COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or rapid antigen tests (at designated drive-through facilities in hotspot regions) per beneficiary per annum, as part of the screening benefit of the WHO Global Outbreak Benefit.
For more information please CLICK HERE.
Please note that screening and registration take place at the testing site.
All PCR and Antigen tests MUST have a doctor to whom the result is reported (copy doctor). This is by order from the Department of Health.
Should you not have a referral letter from your doctor for PCR testing, we can assign a doctor to you at a cost of R150. This doctor will then consult with you should you test positive and you are welcome to call the doctor for advice.
The cost of our Antigen testing includes a copy doctor, who will call you if you test positive. You are however encouraged to include your own doctor to whom your results will be copied.
No referral letter is required for antibody testing.
The importance of a referral letter is so that there is a responsible doctor who can contact you if you are positive. Even if you are travelling, you may be surprised by a positive test. The responsible doctor will ensure that you are properly counselled on what the next steps for you should be.
Download Doctor Referral Form (to be completed & signed by HCP)
Click here to download a table comparing the various testing types.
For more information contact: 011 697 2931
For more information contact: 011 697 2931
For more information contact: 011 697 2931
Covid testing in the privacy and safety of your home or office.
| Additional Pricing: | |
| Call-Out Fee per nurse/administrator *Groups >10 will require more than one nurse/administrator **Call-out fee may vary for outlying areas |
R650 |
| Swabbing Fee of: | |
| PCR Testing | R100 |
| Antigen and Antibody Testing | R50 |
Bookings essential. Please contact: 066 445 6391
111 Bree Street, Cape Town City Centre
Type of Testing Facility:
Drive-through and walk-ins
No booking required
Operating hours:
Monday- Friday: 8am-4pm
Saturday-Sunday: 8am-2pm
Public Holidays: 8am-2pm
For more information contact: 011 697 2931
P2 Parking, 5 Kinetic Way, Century City, Cape Town
Type of Testing Facility:
Drive-through
No booking required
Operating hours:
Monday- Friday: 8am-4pm
Saturday-Sunday: 8am-2pm
Public Holidays: 8am-2pm
For more information contact: 011 697 2931
Cnr Atholl-Oaklands Road and Fort Street, Birnam Johannesburg
Type of Testing Facility:
Drive-through and walk-ins
No booking required
Operating hours:
Monday- Friday: 8am-4pm
Saturday-Sunday: 8am-2pm
Public Holidays: 8am-2pm
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
For more information contact: 011 697 2931
Loftus Park Undercover Parking, 416 Kirkness St, Arcadia, Pretoria
Type of Testing Facility:
Drive-through and walk-ins
No booking required
Operating hours:
Monday-Friday: 8am-4pm
Saturday-Sunday: 8am-2pm
Public Holidays: 8am-2pm
For more information contact: 011 697 2931
Undercover Parking M30, Cnr Tecoma and Flanders Drive, Mt Edgecombe
Type of Testing Facility:
Drive-through and walk-ins
No booking required
Operating hours:
Monday- Friday: 8am-4pm
Saturday-Sunday: 8am-1pm
Public Holidays: 8am-1pm
For more information contact: 011 697 2931
Covid testing in the privacy and safety of your home or office.
Additional Pricing:
Call-Out Fee per nurse/administrator R650
*Groups >10 will require more than one nurse/administrator
**Call-out fee may vary for outlying areas
Swabbing Fee of:
PCR Testing R100
Antigen and Antibody Testing R50
Bookings essential. Please contact: 066 445 6391
PLEASE NOTE: Whilst we strive to achieve our given turnaround times, sometimes there are excessive volumes or tests need to be re-run and then this is not possible. We will contact you if to let you know. If you have not received your results within 24 hours and not heard from us, please contact us. Sometimes contact details are incorrectly captured and/or emails get lost in cyberspace.
People who have recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection are usually protected from being infected a second time (called re-infection). This is because they develop neutralizing antibodies that remain in their blood for at least 5-6 months, maybe longer. These antibodies bind to specific parts of the spike protein that have mutated in the new variant (K417N and E484K mentioned above). We now show that these mutations have allowed the virus to become resistant to antibody neutralization. The blood samples from half the people we tested showed that all neutralizing activity was lost. This suggests that they may no longer be protected from re-infection. In the other half, the levels of antibodies were reduced and so the risk of re-infection is not known. It is therefore important that people who have previously had COVID-19 continue to adhere to public health measures. Protecting ourselves through masks, regular washing or sanitising of hands, cleaning of surfaces, and social distancing remain the best defense against all SARS-CoV-2 viruses, including the new lineage.
Reference: NICD https://www.nicd.ac.za/
