El Gouna Hospital announces new 15-minute Covid-19 test

A new Covid-19 test is being offered at El Gouna Hospital. It is the ID NOW by Abbott COVID 19 test ; it works on the DNA & RNA of the virus.  It is a Nasopharyngeal swab,  that gives the same result as the PCR, but faster, because the test can be done individually and not in batches. 

Less accurate than the gold standard PCR, this test is most  often used in confirmatory situations (e.g. a negative test in persons with symptoms or a positive test in persons without symptoms). It is suitable for travel when in a hurry, however it is best to check first with the destination country to be assured they accept this rapid test. Note1 Molecular tests are different than Antigen Tests. 

Note 2 Antigen tests are available at El Gouna Hospital. 

Click here for testing basics

List of accepted tests for European countries. 

 

PCR vs Isothermal - all Molecular!

• Molecular diagnostics is analysis of DNA or RNA for diagnostic purposes
• Various amplified molecular methods are available

 

 

Molecular technology—>	PCR	Isothermal ID NOW
Target	DNA/ RNA	DNA / RNA
Common Detection Method	Molecular Beacon	Molecular Beacon
Amplification	Yes	Yes
Method to open DNA	Heat	Enzyme
Requires thermocycling	Yes	No
Time to results	13 hours	<=13 minutes

 

Why this test is called a rapid test :

For the normal PCR Technique, the lab has to collect at least 65 samples to start a normal PCR run. The run takes at least 5 hours to obtain results, and the lab must wait for the last sample in the run to get all the results.  But with the Abbott ID NOW Isothermal Amplification technique, if someone needs results quickly and cannot wait till the normal run finishes for example, ( risking missing the flight) ; the lab can do the test with ID NOW only for him/her .

   

Example : A passenger forgot to do PCR and should leave after midnight, the run of the day was already started and passenger would have to wait till the next day run ; which means flight will be missed;  if lab does for him/her a special run ( with the normal PCR) it will cost the price of PCR test and the other empty kits needed to complete the process ( very expensive!) but with this new way, the lab can do it only for him or her and they would pay only the price of the one test (priced at EGP 2,600 for Egyptians and €160 for Foreigners). 

It is notable to mention here that El Gouna Hospital offers Antigen tests also. 

To return to Gouna News - Press Here