FAQs

General

Do I need to do any preparation before I take my test?

If you are taking a PCR test, please do not eat, drink, chew gum, smoke or brush your teeth at least 30 minutes before your mouth swab sample is taken. Not following these steps can contaminate your sample which may result in it needing a retest and therefore, delay your result.

Also, if you need a test for a fit to fly certificate and would like your passport number on the result form, please bring in your documentation to your appointment or write your passport number on the test request form.

When do I get my test results?

The turnaround time of results is 15 minutes depends on the test you order, unless specified otherwise. In the unlikely event that your sample requires retesting.

What is the most reliable way to book a coronavirus test?

We use Dostavista (same day delivery for Moscow and Saint-Petesburg) or Sberlogistica this is usually delivered the next day, however, due to high demand and COVID-19, the delivery time of this option can not be guaranteed. 

Can I make an order over the phone for personal needs?

Unfortunately, we cannot complete your order over the phone. However, our website has been designed to make the ordering process as easy as possible for you. But if you do have any questions, then please contact us and our team will be happy to guide you through the process over the phone.

 

 

Rapid Antigen Test

What is the Rapid Antigen test for?

To check if you are carrying the virus and are infectious to others.

What type of test is the Rapid Antigen test?

It is a swab test that detects the presence of protein particles from the COVID-19 virus. This test is only available on-site as it must be administered by a trained healthcare professional. A nasopharyngeal (nasal) swab is taken and your sample is then mixed with a fluid and tested for the presence of viral protein through a lateral flow device.

Why would I do a Rapid Antigen test?

To quickly check if you are infectious to others. With results in 15-20 minutes, this test lets you know if you are putting others at risk and alerts you as to whether you are infected with COVID-19. The antigen test is often used by workplaces or areas where many people are gathering to ensure they are not at risk of infecting each other.

Is the Rapid Antigen test accurate?

The Abbott Panbio Antigen Rapid Test that we use has shown a 98.2% sensitivity in detecting viral levels that are currently considered to be infectious (Ct values < 33). It has an overall sensitivity and specificity agreement with RT-PCR results of 97.9%

 

Antibody Test

What is the Antibody test for?

To check whether you have developed antibodies to the virus in your blood from a past infection or exposure.

Why would I do an Antibody test?

To see if you have already had COVID-19 and possibly have some immunity to it.

What type of test is the Antibody test?

It is a blood test and can take the form of a finger-prick or venous blood draw. You can have your blood taken by a healthcare professional or you can use one of our home-testing kits and provide a supervised finger-prick (or venous/phlebotomy) sample which you post or deliver to us. We will then process your sample in our laboratory using a gold-standard immunoassay auto-analyser, manufactured by one of the world's leading laboratory and diagnostics providers.

How sensitive is the IgG Antibody test?

This test has been shown to be between 98% and 100% sensitive in identifying antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus—if taken 14 days after onset of COVID-19 symptoms. Simply put, everyone who had an illness that was confirmed to be caused by COVID-19 developed IgG antibodies 14 days later, so there were no false negatives. 

There are many people who may have been exposed to the virus but did not become ill that may not develop antibodies at all. It should also be noted that antibody levels have been shown to drop quickly, so if the test is taken a few months after being ill it may not longer be positive.

What is the specificity of the IgG Antibody test?

It is 99.63% specific. Or, put another way, only 0.37% of over 1000 people tested who had blood taken before December 2019 (so could not have been exposed to SARS-CoV-2) showed a false-positive result. Interestingly, there were over 70 people who had other similar respiratory illnesses tested in this group and none of them showed any false positives so it seems very unlikely that this test picks up antibodies to any of the other types of coronaviruses or other viruses that cause flu-like or respiratory symptoms like covid-19. This problem of potential cross-reactivity was a very major concern about many of the cassette tests and other laboratory tests that were rushed to market.

What regulatory approvals does the IgG Antibody test have?

This laboratory test has been evaluated by PHE, CE marked and FDA EUA approved, and is being used in Europe in the millions of units in the front-line of testing efforts to track the spread of the virus through our community.

It is great to be able to provide testing developed by the world leader in developing SARS-CoV-2 testing and it is exciting to be one of the first laboratories in Europe able to make this particular test available to anyone who would like to know more about their exposure to this virus.

Will I be immune to COVID-19 illness if I have a positive IgG antibody test?

There is still a lot to learn about this virus and having antibodies does not mean you definitely have immunity. Also, it is not yet clear how long immunity lasts, even if there is any. 

While there is still a lot of uncertainty, it is likely and that you may have at least some temporary immunity. Still, it is very important that you do not take the presence of antibodies to mean that you are able to ignore government advice about social distancing, hand washing and isolation.