A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.

A diagnosis with coronavirus 229E, NL63, OC43, or HKU1 is not the same as a COVID-19 diagnosis. Patients with COVID-19 will be evaluated and cared for differently than patients with common coronavirus diagnosis.

On February 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, first identified in Wuhan China. The new name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV”.

There are many types of human coronaviruses including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans. The name of this disease was selected following the World Health Organization (WHO) best practiceexternal iconexternal icon for naming of new human infectious diseases.

diagnostic testing for COVID-19 involves testing for the presence of the virus in specimens obtained from patients. Almost all diagnostic testing for COVID-19 is done using PCR-based methods, which look for the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. These methods can only diagnose someone with COVID-19 if they are actively infected. Currently, most diagnostic tests for COVID-19 test nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal specimens (nose or throat swabs).

With any diagnostic test, there is the potential for false negatives or false positives. For existing COVID-19 tests in the U.S., there have been reports of false negative tests in some patients. False negative tests can occur if a specimen was not properly obtained or if a patient was tested too early or too late in their infection. Laboratory error is also a possible cause of false negative test results. Conversely, false positive reports are less common.

Individuals who have symptoms of COVID-19 should be tested for the SARS-CoV-2 virus so that they will know to isolate themselves from others so as not to spread the disease. In certain cases, such as outbreak investigation, testing of people without symptoms is also indicated. However, current limitations in testing capacity have restricted who may be tested for COVID-19. Recommendations regarding who should and can be tested differ by state. Some states that have experienced large numbers of COVID-19 cases have requested that individuals who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 assume that they are positive and avoid health facilities unless they experience severe symptoms.

IDC is offering safe home sample collection for COID-19. Please contact us at 051 111 000 432 for details and coverage area.

We are currently offering Corona Virus testing at most of of our branches in Islamabad, Wah Cantt, Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujar Khan and Rawalpindi. For details please contact 051 111 000 432

It will be a PCR test with results in 24 Hours.

You will have to provide a filled up form ( Download here) for the COVID-19 test per Government regulations.