Test / Diagnostic Procedure: Covid-19 testing at OneWelbeck

ID NOW is one of the most widely-available molecular point-of-care testing technologies in use in the U.S. Since its introduction in 2014, it has been used in physicians’ offices and urgent care centres to rapidly detect COVID-19 infection.

ID NOW is approved by the Department of Health and care – UK.

The test uses isothermal technology, proprietary enzymes and constant temperature control to achieve the fastest available RNA amplification. This proven molecular system greatly reduces the time for results, allowing healthcare providers to make patient care decisions sooner.

To conduct a test, a swab of the nose is taken. Then the swab is placed into an acidic liquid solution heated to 59⁰C that cracks open the envelope of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, exposing its viral RNA. Then the small device, about the size of a toaster and weighing only 6.6 pounds, amplifies the RNA hundreds of millions of times to make the virus detectable — returning test results in 13 minutes or less.

ID NOW gives fast results; it is reliable and have high accuracy results we use ID NOW to test patients before surgery.

A PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) test is a swab test that detects the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (Covid-19) in your nose and throat. Rather than detecting the body’s immune response, or antibodies, PCR tests are used to directly detect the presence of an antigen by detecting viral RNA – the nucleic acid that converts DNA into proteins. RNA is present in your body before antibodies form or symptoms of the disease are present. Therefore PCR testing can tell if you have the Covid-19 virus  very early on.

Your sample will then be sent to one of our laboratories where it will be heated and cooled so it multiplies into larger quantities of DNA. This will allow the scientists to discover whether the virus that causes Covid-19 is present. This process usually takes 36 hours.

The price per test is as follows:

• ID NOW test – £135
• PCR test – £135
• Covid-19 antibodies blood test – £115

Our Covid-19 Testing Centre has a separate entrance from our main building. When you arrive at OneWelbeck and see the revolving doors to main reception in front of you, the entrance to the Testing Centre is to the right, further down Welbeck Street (towards Henrietta Street).