We offer a range of testing options for people who need testing for travel or for anyone who has symptoms which might be due to COVID-19 infection. Please note that for patients with symptoms of infection, an initial assessment by one of our doctors needs to be scheduled and performed remotely (by telephone or video link). Testing is then typically performed at 16.30 on the same day.
If you require testing for travel and are normally well with no respiratory symptoms, no fever and no contact with anyone known or suspected to have COVID19, then your initial appointment can either be remote or in person.
In order to minimize the risk of contagion, testing is not performed within our office building.
RT-PCR (real time polymerase chain reaction test)
COST: 22,000 yen
SAMPLE: Nasal or naso-pharyngeal swab or saliva sample
Turnaround: within 24 hours for over 95% of tests. A small number of samples need to be re-run in which case, within 48 hours.
This is the most accurate method of testing and is the sole test accepted by some airlines and travel destinations.
ID-NOW NAAT (nucleic acid amplification test) (Abbott)
COST: 16,500 yen
SAMPLE: Nasal swab
Turnaround: within 30 minutes for a single test. As only one sample can be tested at a time, multiple tests will be reported at a rate of one per 30 minutes.
This test is suitable for patients who have new onset (within 7 days) symptoms which might be caused by COVID-19. It is not recommended for screening people without symptoms as in this situation it’s slightly less accurate than PCR. It’s also not suitable for testing larger numbers of people due to time constraints.
LATERAL FLOW ANTIGEN TESTING – Panbio (Abbott)
COST: 5,500 yen
SAMPLE: Nasal swab
Turnaround: within 30 minutes. Multiple tests can be run at the same time.
This is the only lateral flow antigen test currently available in Japan that is recommended by the World Health Organization. In contagious patients with COVID-19, accuracy is better than 90% of a PCR test. It is now accepted for travel to some destinations (please check and confirm this before requesting). For those travelling to the UK, please note that this test has ≥97% specificity and ≥80% sensitivity at viral loads above 100,000 copies/ml as required by the UK government. It is suitable for screening in lower risk settings such as schools, but is less suitable in higher risk settings (elderly).
Large Groups:
Companies, schools or other, by prior arrangement only – please inquire for availability and costs.
PROCEDURE FOR THOSE TESTING FOR TRAVEL PURPOSES:
Please check in advance which test is needed for your destination (most commonly a PCR test, but a lateral flow antigen test is accepted in some cases). Call the receptionists to schedule an appointment for testing. The cost will depend on the test requirement as follows:
Consultation + PCR test + Certificate = 33,000 JPY (TAX included)
Consultation + Lateral flow antigen test + Certificate = 16,500 JPY (TAX included)
Our clinic is designated as an official travel partner for patients travelling to Hawaii (Oahu) https://hawaiicovid19.com/travel-partners/
PROCEDURE FOR THOSE TESTING BECAUSE THEY HAVE COVID SYMPTOMS:
Call the receptionists to schedule a remote consultation with one of our doctors. During the consultation, a decision regarding the most appropriate test for your specific circumstances will be made. The cost will be as follows:
Consultation: 15,400 JPY (TAX included)
Test price: from 5,500 JPY to 22,000 JPY depending on the test used