FAQ : What you should know before booking COVID testing

1. How are lab results different from those of hospitals?

• The last test results are similar to that of the hospital. The results can also be used for international travelers.

2. What Covid-19 Variants does the test cover?

• The lab can detect Omicron. Includes Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Lambda and Delta.

3. Is the medical certificate or Fit to fly included?

• We cannot provide fit-to-fly certificate. However, most countries and airlines do not require fit-to-fly for traveling.

4. Can the lab provide Japanese documents?

• To enter Japan. You can notify the staff to prepare documents without additional costs.

5. Is there a hard copy or printed version of the test result?

• The lab results are sent via e-mail or LINE. Customers can receive ATK results immediately, but one can pick up RT-PCR results at the lab the next day. (*We do not send by post, but Grab service is also available)

6.What language is the test result in?

• You can choose Thai or English.

7. Can I walk in COVID testing without a reservation?

• Walk-in price may differ. Customer who makes reservation also have VIP room with limited seating.

8. What time is the lab open?

• Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Excluding public holidays

9. How to make a reservation?

• You can make a reservation via Agnos application or Agnos website

10.Where is the lab?

• PCT lab Soi Charansanitwong 67 Sirindhorn rd. Bang Phlat, Bangkok 📍Google maps link : https://goo.gl/maps/AN3iJP8jPBrt6odt9

11.Do you have a car park?

• We have parking for cars and motorcycles.

Which country still requires covid test results?

(RT PCR and ATK) ALL ABOUT COVID-19 WITH AGNOS

After two years of Covid-19, many countries fully open their borders to tourists without quarantine, vaccine visas, or restrictions. However, some countries still have strict control over Covid-19 and overseas travelers.

Then which country still requires Covid-19 test results? Which types do you need? And when to take the covid 19 test?

What are the differences between RT PCR and ATK?

ATK or Antigen Test Kit is a test kit that collects your secretion from the nose, mouth, throat, and saliva. ATK can detect the virus's elements

ATK Advantages

• can be used anytime and anywhere
• Easy to find
• It takes only 15-30 minutes to know the results

ATK Limitations

• The result might be discrepant if the user has only a minor infection or a defective test kit. If a false result is shown, the user can retake the test after 1-3 days.
• For accuracy, the user might have to be infected with the virus for at least 5-14 days.
• If found to be infected, the user still has to take an RT PCR test.

RT PCR, or Real-time PCR, is a test that collects your secretion from the nose, mouth, throat, and saliva, as well as ATK, but the difference is that RT PCR has to be done by professionals such as doctors or medical staff only. RT PCR will detect the viral RNA, which will later be converted to DNA using specific enzymes to detect the virus.

RT PCR Advantages

• High accuracy
• No need to retake the test after finding positive
• Certified by WHO (World Health Organization)
• Can detect minor infectors

RT PCR Limitations

• Longer waiting times for the results

In most cases, if it is a small hospital or a hospital without a laboratory, the hospital will send samples to other laboratories, which will cause a delay in the results.

Knowing the Covid 19 variants

Covid 19 vs. CoronaVirus COVID-19 is a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-2 is a type of coronavirus. The word COVID-19 is an abbreviation. CO = corona  VI = virus  D = disease. 19 = 2019

Covid 19 Variants

Serine (Covid Type S)

The S is said to have been first found in Wuhan (China), with the first outbreak in March 2019.

Symptoms

• 37.5 degrees Celsius of more of a fever
• Dry cough
• Shortness of breath and difficulty of breathing
• Exhaustion
• May lose the sense of smell

Covid 19 Alpha (B.1.1.7)

The first outbreak was in England around September 2020 and spread to Thailand in January 2021.

The Alpha spreads 30-40% more quickly than the S type and can avoid our immune system, causing the widespread of Alpha covid 19 in 2021 in over 138 countries.

Symptoms

• 37.5 degrees Celsius of more of a fever
• Dry cough
• Shortness of breath and difficulty of breathing
• Exhaustion
• headache
• muscle sore
• Chills with fever
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• May lose the sense of smell and taste

Covid 19 Beta (B.1.1.7)

The first outbreak was in South Africa in October 2020 and was first found in the Southern part of Thailand (Narathiwat Province) in June 2021.

The beta variant muted in vital spots causing them to spread 50% more quickly, able to avoid our immune system and can infect people who have already been infected once.

Symptoms

• Minor cough
• 37.5 degrees Celsius of more of a fever
• Sore throat
• Muscle sore
• Headache
• Chills with fever
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Red eyes
• Rashes
• May lose the sense of smell and taste

Covid 19 Delta

They are believed to originate from India. The Delta can spread quickly in many countries, including Thailand.

Furthermore, The Delta mutated into The Delta Plus, which is more dangerous because apart from the ability to spread quickly and efficiently, it can also catch onto lung cells, which could cause massive damage to the organ.

Symptoms

• The symptoms are similar to the common cold
• Fever
• headache
• Sore throat
• Mild cough
• Most patients did not lose their sense of smell or taste

Covid 19 Lambda

The name might not sound so familiar because there is no report of any case or outbreak in Thailand. However, Lambda is also highly dangerous due to its ability to spread more quickly than The Delta.

There are also reports which suggest that Lambda Covid can affect the performance of our antibodies to protect us from the virus.

Covid 19 Epsilon

The Epsilon was widely spread in Europe and is 18.6-24% more dangerous than the others.

Furthermore, a report from the US said that Epsilon could avoid our immune system and reduce the effectiveness of the mRNA vaccines.

Covid 19 Omicron

Omicron is one of the well-known variants for its ability to spread quickly. The Omicron has 32 spikes that were mutated, meaning that it can avoid our immune system and promptly enter our body.

Although Omicron can be infected several times, the virus would only stay in the upper respiratory symptom ( Nostril or throat), causing the symptom to be mild.

Symptoms

• Very low fever
• minor but continuous coughing
• Sore throat
• Tired
• If the symptoms are severe, it may cause pneumonia.

Which country still requires RT PCR OR ATK test?

China

Requirement for traveling from Thailand to China

• Results of RT PCR

For normal travelers :

• Two RT PCR tests that taken within 48 hours before the flights
• The two samples that were collected must be at least 24 hours apart. One must be 24 hours before the flight.

For those who have an infection history those who have been in close contact with an infected patient those with suspected symptoms :

*Referring to people with an infection history, have been diagnosed with Covid 19 or pneumonia, or people who have positive test results.

For those with close contact with infected patients and those with suspected symptoms :

• Self-health conduct is required ( 5 days)
• Travelers can apply for a health code after five days of self-health conduct without symptoms.
• Applying for health code : For foreigners, / Non-Chinese citizens can apply via the website: https://hrhk.cs.mfa.gov.cn/H5/.
• Travelers can take the examination at any hospital, but the Thailand Health Department must approve the hospital.
• Health code applicants must show identification for traveling before taking RT PCR.
• A sample must be the Nasopharyngeal Mucosa or a sample taken from the nose with clearly written RT PCR in English.

Information last update: 15 July 2022.

India

• RT PCR test results are still required
• The RT PCR results must be taken within 72 hours before the flights. Upon arrival, there may be a random covid test for every flight.
• positive, treatment and quarantine will proceed.

Japan

• Travelers already vaccinated with three doses (Approved by WHO) can enter Japan without any PT PCR test results.
• If not, RT PCR test results within 72 hours before the flight are still required.

**For traveling to Japan, PCT Lab customers can inform the staff of documents without additional cost.

Agnos and PCT Lab RT PCR Test Promotion

Standard Package

• Price: 1,000 Baht
• Suitable for: Domestic traveling
• Results of : Covid 19
• Results within 24 hours
• Result documents language: THAI.

VIP waiting lounge

Schedule your booking

Booking one day in advance

Express RT PCR Package

• Price: 2,200 Baht
• Suitable for: International traveling, People who want fast results
• Results of: Covid 19 and 4 other viruses
• Results within 2 hours
• Result documents Language: ENG.
• 15-20 minutes of arrival before the scheduled time.

VIP waiting lounge

Schedule your booking

Booking one day in advance

Drive-Thru RT PCR Package

• Price: 1,800 Baht
• The testing procedure conducts in the customer's car
• Suitable for: International traveling, People who want fast results
• Results within 18 hours

Drive-Thru Express RT PCR Package

• Price: 2,500 Baht
• The testing procedure conducts in the customer's car
• Results of: Covid 19 and 4 other viruses
• Suitable for: People who want fast results
• Results within 2 hours
• 15-20 minutes of arrival before the scheduled tim

Drive-Thru Antigen Test

• Price: 400 Baht
• The testing procedure conducts in the customer's car
• Results within 1 hour
• Suitable for: Domestic traveling 

Antibody Test Package

• Price: 800 Baht
• Checking immunity after vaccination or infection.
• Results within 3 hours