Tests available for COVID-19 testing
We provide three key Covid-19 tests to detect the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19 infection.
RT-PCR Polymerase Chain Reaction
In PCR testing, reverse transcriptase or DNA polymerase are introduced to a nasopharyngeal sample. These chemicals act by duplicating any viral RNA that may be present. It ensures that enough copies of the RNA are present to provide a positive result since specially designed primers and probes bind to regions of the virus's genetic code to indicate the presence of a pathogen. Hence, can tell who has been contaminated
Antigen testing
Antigen testing is one way to find out if you have a current infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, and they can also be used for COVID-19 screening and diagnosis. Antigen testing is typically quicker than molecular tests, although they are less accurate. It seeks proteins on the SARS-CoV-2 virus's surface.Antibody Testing
Antibody testing looks for evidence that you've had the virus before in your blood. We extract blood from a vein in your arm during this test. If your test results reveal antibodies, you were most certainly infected with COVID-19 at some point in the past. It might also imply that you are immune. Another advantage of antibody testing is that persons who have recovered from COVID-19 may donate plasma.Importance of Covid-19 testing
Testing and screening are the most effective techniques to control the spread of deadly Covid-19 infection. It helps identify all those infected individuals who can spread the disease further by transmission.
You might need to get tested because:
- Your healthcare provider notices signs and symptoms of possible infection (such as fever, cough, shortness or difficulty in breathing)
- You have a travel history of a place where the infectivity rate was high or lived in a high infectivity rate area.
- Covid-19 testing can help to get your health status. If you are tested positive for covid-19, you self-quarantine and reduce the risk of virus spread.
- You have come in contact with a suspected or confirmed coronavirus case.
Frequently asked questions
Read our FAQs to clear your doubts about Covid-19 testing services.
Who can get tested?
Everyone can get the rapid testing COVID nationwide through Covizonelabs.
Where can we get tested?
Visit our nearest branch or call us to get same-day results of COVID testing nationwide.
Should I get tested more than once?
If you are not fully vaccinated, you have to get tested more often, with or without symptoms.
What are the different types of COVID-19 diagnostic tests?
- RT-PCR
- Antibody
- Antigenes
How do I know what kind of COVID-19 diagnostic test to get?
Your health care provider can help decide which type of test is best for you based on the reason for your testing, such as a recent exposure, presence of symptoms or periodic testing. If you get an antigen test, your provider may recommend a molecular test to confirm your test result, depending on your reason for testing.
What is at-home testing and when should I use at-home tests?
COVID-19 at-home diagnostic testing (also called self-testing) allows some or all parts of the testing process to take place at home. With some at-home tests, you collect a nasal or saliva sample and send it to a laboratory. Other tests allow you to test the sample yourself, with results available in minutes. If you need to be tested for COVID-19 and cannot be tested by a health care provider, consider at-home testing.
What does a positive diagnostic test result mean?
A positive test result means that you most likely have COVID-19 and must stay home (isolate) and take precautions to reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others.
What does a negative diagnostic test result mean?
A negative test result means that you most likely do not have COVID-19. If you have symptoms, continue taking precautions like wearing a face mask, because it is possible you have the virus but the test did not detect it.
If I have been vaccinated against COVID-19, will I test positive for COVID-19?
The vaccines cannot give you COVID-19 or make you test positive for COVID-19. The vaccines do not contain the virus that causes COVID-19. If you test positive for COVID-19, that means you likely have COVID-19 due to a recent exposure.
What are antibodies?
Antibodies are special proteins that the body produces to help fight off infections. They can be produced even if a person has few or no symptoms. Sometimes antibodies protect us from getting the same infection again, and this is likely also true for COVID-19.
What is the purpose of COVID-19 antibody testing?
Antibody testing can help us better understand COVID-19, including how the body responds to the virus. It can also help us estimate how many people have had COVID-19. Antibody tests are not recommended for the purpose of deciding whether to get vaccinated.
Who can get an antibody test?
Antibodies take time to develop when someone is sick, so antibody testing will not be accurate for someone who is or was recently sick. Antibody testing should not be performed on someone who has COVID-19 symptoms, had COVID-19 symptoms within the last two weeks or had a positive diagnostic test for COVID-19 within the past two weeks (based on the date the sample was taken).
How is antibody testing done?
Antibody testing requires getting a blood sample through a finger stick or drawing blood from a vein in your arm.
What does a positive antibody test result mean?
A positive test result means that antibodies were detected in your blood and that you likely had COVID-19 at some point in the past. However, it is also possible you did not have COVID-19 and the antibodies detected were from an infection with a related virus. This is sometimes called a false positive.