NextPath | Covid Testing in Johannesburg & Pretoria

For more info:
011 697 2931
info@nextpath.co.za
(Call centre open 8am – 8pm)

For more info: 011 697 2931
info@nextpath.co.za
(Call centre open 8am – 8pm)

Next Pathology

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).

General Covid Information

SYMPTOMS

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

NEW SARS-COV2 VARIANT

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.

TRAVELERS

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 MEMBERS

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.

Doctor Referral / Copy Doctor

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)

Covid Testing

NextPathology currently offers the following tests at all its testing sites:

Click here to download a table comparing the various testing types.

COVID RT-PCR TEST

Results: 24 hours | R850

CONSIDERED THE GOLD STANDARD OF TESTING WITH HIGHEST ACCURACY. Lab based test and is recommended for travellers and patients requiring hospital admission.
Test done with Nasal OR throat swab. Please note, a nasal swab is mandatory for some airlines.

PCR stands for polymerase chain reaction. It is the global standard diagnostic test for SARS-COV2 infection and directly tests for the presence of viral nucleic acid in the patient.

If positive, it is indicative of an active infection with SARS-Cov2. Self-isolation is imperative and contact from health authorities can be expected to trace contacts and ensure limiting of transmission of the infection to others.
The sensitivity of the above test may be affected by the timing of sampling in the course of infection and by sampling technique. If negative, repeat testing may be required in the case of a positive contact or symptoms consistent with SARS-CoV2 infection.

Contact your health care provider for advice if required.

COVID ANTIGEN TEST

Results: 60min | R390

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 RT-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 RT-PCR test is required.

COVID ANTIBODY TEST

Results: 60min | R290

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.

Covid Testing Sites

CAPE TOWN

Location	Type of testing facility	Operating hours
Old Christiaan Barnard Hospital 111 Bree Street Cape Town City Centre	Drive-through and walk-ins No booking required	Monday- Friday: 8am-4pm Saturday-Sunday: 8am-2pm Public Holidays: 8am-2pm
Century City Conference Centre P2 Parking, 5 Kinetic Way Century City, Cape Town	Drive-through No booking required	Monday- Friday: 8am-4pm Saturday-Sunday: 8am-2pm Public Holidays: 8am-2pm

For more information contact: 011 697 2931

GAUTENG

Location	Type of testing facility	Operating hours
Blubird Shopping Centre Cnr Atholl-Oaklands Road and Fort Street Birnam Johannesburg	Drive-through and walk-ins No booking required	Monday- Friday: 8am-4pm Saturday-Sunday: 8am-2pm Public Holidays: 8am-2pm
Next Biosciences International Business Gateway Cnr New Road and 6^th Road Midrand	Walk-ins No booking required	Monday-Friday: 8am-5pm Saturday-Sunday: Closed Public Holidays: Closed
Loftus Park Shopping Centre Loftus Park Undercover Parking 416 Kirkness St, Arcadia, Pretoria	Drive-through and walk-ins No booking required	Monday-Friday: 8am-4pm Saturday-Sunday: 8am-2pm Public Holidays: 8am-2pm
Village View Shopping Centre Basement Level Parking Cnr Ivy & Van Buuren Road Bedfordview	Drive-through and walk-ins No booking required	Monday- Friday: 8am-4pm Saturday-Sunday: 8am-2pm Public Holidays: 8am-2pm
OR Tambo International Airport Intercontinental Hotel Kafue Conference Room	Walk-in facility Booking required Please call 011 697 2931	Daily: 6am – 10pm

For more information contact: 011 697 2931

DURBAN

Location	Type of testing facility	Operating hours
Cornubia Mall Undercover Parking M30, Cnr Tecoma and Flanders Drive, Mt Edgecombe	Drive-through and walk-ins No booking required	Monday- Friday: 8am-4pm Saturday-Sunday: 8am-1pm Public Holidays: 8am-1pm

For more information contact: 011 697 2931

CONCIERGE SERVICE (Available in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban)

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

Private Testing

Travellers

Corporate Testing

Covid Testing Sites

Please click on a testing site below to view details.

CAPE TOWN