Covid Testing Frequently Asked Questions

The majority of tests used to diagnose Covid 19 are genetic tests known as PCR tests. These tests are very accurate because even if there’s a tiny amount of virus is present in the patient sample, PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is able to take genetic material from the virus. It targets specific gene segments, that only this virus has and makes very large number of copies of that segments so that they can be detected and measured. Using this method, a PCR test can tell you if you have Covid 19 at the moment, but not if you had it in the past. Initially it took several days to get the results of PCR-based corona virus testing but now as the virus has vamped, rapid PCR tests have been approved that give results in 24hrs-48hrs.

You must stay at home for seven days from the day your symptoms begin. If your temperature goes on for longer than seven days, you should keep yourself quarantined till you get symptom free for 48 hours.

Corporates should inform their manager of the positive test and any additional advice given by NX Healthcare. Everybody in your household should remain self-isolated for 14 days from when your symptoms started. If they start to show symptoms, they will have to continue self isolating for 7 days from onset of symptoms.

If you do not feel well enough, you will feel the following symptoms

  • Temperature more than 37.8°C if checked with a thermometer, or sweats/shivers and similar symptoms
  • Regular and persistent cough (with or without sputum), gruffness, nasal release or congestion, breath shortness, sore throat, gasping, sneezing
  • Loss of smell with or without headache

Symptoms, especially the cough, can persist for several weeks; however, the cough does not stop you from going back to work. If anyone has alarms about an ongoing cough, they should contact their GP as soon as possible.

There is no age limit. If the swab fits in the nose, it can be used as instructed.

  • Adults aged 18 and over – Self-test (unless unable to do so)
  • Teenagers aged 12 to 17 – Self-test with adult supervision
  • Children 11 and under – Adult to test

You can take your swab sample after you’ve checked the collection times of your nearest priority post box and registered your test kit online. Make sure you take the swab sample on the same day you have to post.

It involves taking a swab from the nose and the throat. Clear instructions are provided. It’s very simple.

We are asking you to manage a “swab test” of the throat and nose. It comes with complete step-by-step directions. You will have to read it carefully. The test can be self- managed and takes only a few minutes to complete. It may feel a little uncomfortable.

It is mandatory that the test is done by the person it was addressed to, so that we can ensure that we get accurate information on the occurrence of COVID-19. Please do not let anyone touch it in your household.

Follow these top tips:

Prepare to take the sample

Talk through the steps together. If possible, do a mock practice without using any of the testing materials.

  • Remain calm and confident as you go through the process. This will help the person to stay calm too.

Take the sample

  • Talk them through what you’re going to do for both the tonsils and

nose sample.

  • Play games and suggest they stick their tongue out (get them to copy you),

then get them to say ‘ahhhhhhhhhh’ loudly for 5 seconds, so that you can

have a view of their tonsils at the back of their throat.

  • Get them to say ‘ahhh’ loudly thrice, then introduce the swab stick and

ask them to keep saying ‘ahhh’, while you take the swab sample.

Yes

It totally depends on how strong your immune system is. Although the Covid-19 PCR test is most likely to diagnose the virus earlier on, there are a lot of individuals who still carry virus well into the second or even third week.

The test is only for viruses and not antibodies so it will not reveal whether you have previously had the virus or not.

The test kits will last for 6 months

Positive analytical result is the possibility that the person most likely has the infection. Pre-test probability has the highest effect on false-positive rates. As the pre-test probability test rises, the false-positive rate decreases and the positive predictive value increases.

Negative analytical result is the possibility that the individual who has a negative test result most likely does not have the virus. Pre-test probability and test sensitivity have the highest effect on false-negative scales. As the pre-test probability decreases, the false-negative rate decreases and the negative predictive value increases.

A Ct Scan does not specify how much virus is present in an individual, but only whether or not viral genetic material was detected at a definite threshold. PCR tests can either be qualitative or quantitative, and this affects how a Ct value is interpreted.

Your travel certificate is a certified document of when you had your PCR swab test and the result. Its validity does not expire but most airlines and destinations need you to have your test taken within a definite timeframe. Therefore, you need to make sure your test is taken within the required timeframe.

Firstly, please make sure that you and your household get yourselves isolated according to guidelines provided by the government. The PCR test will detect viral RNA from your nose and throat. The probability of detecting virus are highest in the initial days of symptoms. Ideally, the sample should be taken from symptomatic persons between day 1-5 from symptom onset. However, there are various cases when the virus can be detected later into the illness. A negative test result is important to tell you that there is no virus present on that swab.