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We are offering the Fit to Fly Test (guidelines from the DHSC on Covid-19 testing and travel) as well as asymptomatic general testing. If you are travelling abroad you can find the foreign travel advice of the government here and more details for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland here. Fit to Fly tests come with a Travel Certificate if you test negative which means you are able to leave the country and must show the certificate at departure.

 We don’t offer any of the tests you might need to take when you travel TO the UK, but you can find the information you need here. 

You can give your sample on-site (assisted saliva sampling) at our lab in Southampton. Please enquire at lab@fgih.co.uk or give us a call at (+44)02380118980.

Covid-19 qPCR test Fit to Fly & General Testing

£59.00

COVID-19 PCR test

  • On-site, laboratory assisted sampling
  • Same day results for all samples collected before 12 midday
  • A Fit to Fly Travel Certificate if required

Please contact FGIH if you haven’t received your result within 3 working days of returning your testing kit.

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Description

With the Government ending free COVID-19 RT-PCR testing, many of us are still keen to know if we are potentially infectious to those around us and make informed decisions on whether we should self-isolate or not. The Forensic Genomics Innovation wants to support the local community in offering;

  • On-site, laboratory assisted sampling
  • Same day results for all samples collected before 12 midday
  • A Fit to Fly Travel Certificate if required

To make a booking contact us.

Find us on the Government list of general population COVID-19 testing providers.

All results are uploaded to the UKHSA as per UKAS and DHSC requirements

 

We offer you On-site testing with a Saliva Kit and the PCR analysis of this sample.  We are listed on the governmental website as a private provider of Covid-19 testing. Our Covid-19 PCR test is used for General and Fit to Fly testing. You simply spit in the collection tube and we will analyse it immediately. To get an appointment for the On-site testing please contact us if you want to do so.

We then perform a DNA/RNA-extraction. As well as DNA from you the RNA of bacteria and viruses in your sample is extracted. We then take the RNA mixture and specifically amplify only two parts of RNA that are highly specific to Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2), along with a gene present in your DNA to confirm there is indeed sample in the tube. While we are amplifying these DNA/RNA pieces an instrument is monitoring this process. It’s like counting the number of pieces of this RNA in your sample. If you don’t have the coronavirus in your saliva the machine cannot count it and therefore your result is negative. We make sure that your sample was extracted correctly by adding controls to the PCR. We must ensure that everything worked perfectly and we can provide you an accurate, correct result. Our method is validated.

What is the difference between General and Fit To Fly ?

Essentially nothing. The test is exactly the same, they just have slightly different reporting requirements.

FAQ

Our test is highly accurate and uses a technique called RT-PCR, which works by detecting the viral RNA. The test will determine if someone is positive for Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2). It can detect the presence of the virus even before symptoms begin to show. Some people never get symptoms. They may still be infectious to a vulnerable friend or family member.

No, this is not the case. The common cold and flu can give similar symptoms to coronavirus infection. However, the PCR test is extremely specific. The test detects the genetic material (the RNA) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus exclusively. The test is not affected by any other virus in the sample.

For your convenience we’ll send the saliva collection kit directly to your home or location of choice. We provide the collection instructions in the kit, and once you’ve collected the sample, simply return it in the prepaid packaging to the lab for analysis. You can expect to be notified of the results in 2 days from receipt in the lab. 

We treat coronavirus testing as priority, so results are issued within 2 days of receiving the sample in the laboratory.

FGIH will send you an email when the results are ready. Be sure to provide the most relevant email address for you to receive your results.

Yes, the PCR tests used to detect Covid-19 are fully validated in the laboratory. FGIH scientists run the tests and the results are analysed and verified by our clinical virologists. 

If you want to read more about accuracy of testing you can read our blog about it.

This PCR test will tell you if you are currently infected with Covid-19. It will not tell if you have been infected in the past or whether you are currently immune. This is because the virus is eliminated from the body once you recover, so these tests cannot detect if you’ve previously been infected. If you need more information read our blog about Covid-19 testing.

The PCR technique is extremely sensitive, however, it is not possible to guarantee that any test kit is 100% accurate. While unlikely, there is a possibility that the test produces a false positive or negative even when used correctly.

There are FOUR possible testing outcomes;

Positive – A positive result indicates that you are infected with Covid-19, based
on the test detecting RNA from SARS-CoV-2 in your saliva sample. Please consider yourself to be contagious. You must self-isolate and follow current recommended guidelines. Only contact your Dr if you are unable to manage your symptoms, should they develop.

Negative – A negative test result indicates that SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not detected by the PCR test in your specimen, above the threshold of detection. Note that a negative result does not rule out current or future infection by Covid-19. It is imperative to consider any recent exposure, symptoms or additional diagnostic test results (e.g., for other respiratory illnesses). Furthermore, a negative Covid-19 test should not be used as the sole basis for treatment management decisions and the full clinical history should be considered.

Inconclusive – If you receive an inconclusive result, it means the test results did not meet the diagnostic requirements to be reported as positive or negative for Covid-19. A repeat test is recommended.

Failed – A failed test report is released after repeating the RNA extraction and PCR twice with no internal control present in the PCR. This is usually due to sampling issues. It may be eating or drinking less than 30 minutes before providing the saliva sample, or that no saliva is present in the tube. Please ensure all sampling instructions are followed carefully as eating or drinking just before taking the test may have affected the sample. Incorrect sampling is the most common cause of a failed result.

Government guidelines are changing regularly. Please go to the governmental website for more information.