Covid Testing

For more info: 011 697 2931

For more info: 011 697 2931

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.

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.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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.
READ MORE
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.

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 Sites

CAPE TOWN

Location Type of testing facility Operating hours
Old Christiaan Barnard Hospital
111 Bree Street
Cape Town City Centre		 Drive-through
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 6th Road
Midrand		 Walk-ins
No booking required		 Monday-Friday: 8am-5pm
Saturday-Sunday: Closed
Public Holidays: Closed

For more information contact: 011 697 2931

BESPOKE SERVICE (currently only available in Johannesburg)

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)
Swabbing Fee of:
PCR Testing R100
Antigen and Antibody Testing R50

Bookings essential. Please contact: 066 445 6391

Covid Testing Sites

Please click on a testing site below to view details.

CAPE TOWN

Old Christiaan Barnard Hospital

111 Bree Street, Cape Town City Centre

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

Century City Conference Centre

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

GAUTENG

Blubird Shopping Centre

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

Next Biosciences

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

Bespoke Service (currently only available in Johannesburg)

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)

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get re-infected with the new variant if you have already had COVID-19 from one of the older variants?

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/

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