Frequently Asked Questions about Coronavirus Test FAQ

1. Who should get tested for 2019 – Novel Coronavirus?

• All asymptomatic individuals who have undertaken international travel in the last 14 days: They should be tested only if they become symptomatic (fever, cough, difficulty in breathing). All family members living with a confirmed case should be home quarantined.
• All symptomatic contacts of laboratory confirmed cases.
• All symptomatic health care workers.
• All hospitalized patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (fever & cough and/or shortness of breath).
• Asymptomatic direct and high-risk contacts of a confirmed case should be tested once between day 5 and day 14 of coming in his/her contact.

2. What are the documents required for COVID–19 testing?

• Referring Doctor's signed prescription.
• Government Photo ID proof (Aadhaar Card/ Voter ID/ Driving license/Passport) to validate/record the current address and contact details of the suspected patient

3. If I have symptoms and my doctor prescribes the COVID–19 test, should I also get my family tested?

Asymptomatic direct and high-risk contacts of a confirmed case should be tested once between day 5 and day 14 of coming in his/her contact. Direct and high-risk contacts include those who live in the same household with a confirmed case and healthcare workers who have examined a confirmed case without adequate protection as per WHO recommendations. To get tested, your family members need to be referred by the doctor and must have a valid prescription with them.

4. How can I book the COVID–19 test?

To book the COVID–19 test, you can visit our website www.doctoriduniya.com. Our health experts will immediately contact you.

5. What is the current recommended method for testing and what kind of samples can be tested?

The recommended method for testing the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is Nasal and Throat swab.

6. What tests are used to diagnose COVID-19?

• Molecular test- This test detects genetic material of the virus using a lab technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Also called a PCR test, a health care worker collects fluid from a nasal or throat swab or from saliva.
• Antigen test- This newer COVID-19 test detects certain proteins that are part of the virus. Using a nasal or throat swab to get a fluid sample, antigen tests can produce results in minutes. Because these tests are faster and less expensive than molecular tests.

7. What does an “inconclusive” result mean?

The UW SARS-CoV-2 Real-time RT-PCR assay targets two distinct gene regions. When one of the two targets, but not both, is present above the threshold for positivity, the test is reported as “inconclusive”. This is usually seen with low amounts of viral DNA. In practice, “inconclusive” results should be treated as presumptive positive COVID cases.

8. Is confirmatory testing required for inconclusive results?

No, it no longer required with inconclusive results for confirmatory testing.

9. Can someone test negative and later test positive on a viral test for COVID-19?

Yes, it is possible. You may test negative if the sample was collected early in your infection and test positive later during this illness. You could also be exposed to COVID-19 after the test and get infected then. Even if you test negative, you still should take steps to protect yourself and others.

10. What is anti-body test?

A positive Anti-body test result shows you might have antibodies from an infection with the virus that causes COVID-19. Having antibodies to the virus that causes COVID-19 might provide protection from getting infected with the virus again. If it does, we do not know how much protection the antibodies might provide or how long this protection might last.

11. What are the guidelines to share the test reports with the Government?

To comply with the Government norms and help them in maintaining COVID-19 patient data, lab may share patient reports with the defined government bodies through an online portal created by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

12. By when can I get my report?

Lab will share the report with you as soon as possible. This will also be subject to the Rules and Regulations as stated by the Government.

13. How do I interpret my report?

You are advised to visit your referring doctor with the report for the final interpretation.