HKGOV Recognized COVID-19 Testing Institution
COVID-19 RT-PCR Test

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Our laboratory’s COVID-19 RT-PCR test service is recognized by the HKSAR government and accredited under the local Hong Kong Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (HOKLAS) under the Hong Kong Accreditation Service (HKAS).

How to request a test

Please consult your physician for test referral and fill in our test request form. The test request form can be obtained from your physician / clinic or from us.

Sample collection arrangement

Swab samples can be collected either by your physician / clinic, or by us via physician referral. Saliva sample is self-collected. Please note the below collection guidance for the proper collection of different sample types

Combined Nasal and Throat Swab (CNTS)

Deep Throat Saliva (DTS)

Nasal Swab (NS)

Sample storage and transportation

For samples collected at physician / clinic sites, our company courier would come to collect the samples to our laboratory. For temporary storage before our courier collection, please store the sample at 2-8oC.

Test Method

The assay utilizes real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory specimens by detecting the presence of ORF1ab and N genes of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the specimen.

Quality Assurance

The assay is under the scope of HOKLAS accreditation by HKAS with its service provision operated under a quality management system based on the international standard ISO 15189:2022 for medical testing laboratory.

Policy in protection personal information

The laboratory abides the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486) (“PDPO”) in relation to the collection, holding, processing, use and / or transfer of personal data. Details should refer to the terms and conditions in the test request form.

Test turnaround time

1 working day

Reporting policy

The test report would be issued to your referral physician. Depending on need and policy for the notification of COVID-19 by local legislation, the laboratory might report test related information to relevant regulatory body.

Sample rejection policy

The collected sample could be subjected to rejection due to the following reasons and a recollection of sample is suggested:

requestor’s personal identifier issues (e.g., no identifier, unmatched or partial identifier);
delayed, aged specimen (not being received within 72 hours since sample collection);
sample leakage;
insufficient sample volume/amount;
inappropriate container; or
inappropriate storage, handling, or transportation conditions.

Factors affecting test performance

Test result accuracy could be interfered by improperly collected, transported or handled of specimens and the possible presence of inhibitors.
The detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acids could be affected by the collection timing and so as the viral load during infections caused by COVID-19.
If you have any enquiries, please contact us at 3989 6160.

Reference

  1. 1.The New England Journal of Medicine, 2020, DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc2016359
  2. 2.Leung, E.C., et al., Deep throat saliva as an alternative diagnostic specimen type for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. J Med Virol, 2020.
  3. 3.To, K.K., et al., Temporal profiles of viral load in posterior oropharyngeal saliva samples and serum antibody responses during infection by SARS-CoV-2: an observational cohort study. Lancet Infect Dis, 2020. 20(5): p. 565-574.
  4. 4.To, K.K., et al., Consistent Detection of 2019 Novel Coronavirus in Saliva. Clin Infect Dis, 2020. 71(15): p. 841-843.