PathLab is a medical laboratory accredited to ISO 15189:2012 by HOKLAS and is a HKSAR Government recognised testing laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 RNA (by PCR) and SARS-CoV-2 Antibody tests.
Apart from government initiated schemes, such as the Compulsory or Community Testing, or China & Macau Health Code Travel (when available), a doctor’s referral is required.
Useful links:
The following tests are available:
- COVID-19 RT-PCR Test
- Sample types: CNTS, DTS, NPS, OPS (< 6 y), Stool (< 3 y)
- FDA-EUA/CE-IVD approved RT-PCR methods
- Very high sensitivity and specificity
- Used for compulsory testing, outbound travel to meet destination requirements and/or clinical diagnosis
- COVID-19 IgG Spike (S) Antibody, Quantitative Blood Test
- FDA-EUA/CE Abbott Alinity SARS-CoV-2 IgG (S) method
- High dynamic range for post-vaccination checks
- Used for checking antibody levels post-vaccination and/or suspected previous or current infection
- COVID-19 IgG Nucleocapsid (N) Antibody, Qualitative Blood Test
- FDA-EUA/CE Abbott Alinity SARS-CoV-2 IgG (N) method
- Used to aid in identifying individuals with a recent or prior infection.
In unvaccinated individuals, this assay will have a positive result post infection (99% at ≥ 14 days). In individuals vaccinated with mRNA or viral vector vaccines (e.g. BioNTech, Moderna) a positive test also suggests natural infection, however, if vaccinated with inactivated native virus vaccines (e.g. Sinovac) the test may be positive due to the vaccine.
- COVID-19 IgM Spike (S) Antibody, Qualitative Blood Test
- FDA-EUA/CE Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgM method
- Used for checking present/post-exposure in unvaccinated individuals. In unvaccinated individuals this assay will have a positive result post infection (96% at ≥ 14 days)
Note:
All laboratory results should not be used as the sole basis to diagnose or exclude recent infection. Your doctor, together with your clinical history, symptoms, vaccination status and/or results from COVID-19 PCR, Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT), IgG and/or IgM Antibody tests, should interpret results.
Abbreviations:
DTS: Deep throat saliva
CNTS: Combined nose & throat swab
NPS: Nasopharyngeal swab
OPS: Oropharyngeal (throat swab) for children < 6 years old