COVID-19 Tests in Hong Kong: Where to Go? (UPDATED)
There is currently an explosion of information, comments and opinions on COVID-19 on the internet and social media. We believe that on serious topics in general, and on public health matters in particular, it is essential to rely on facts and seek credible, expert information. Our mission at AD MediLink remains to bring you the best information and advice, so you can make the best choices for you and your family.
Where to get tested for COVID-19 in Hong Kong? Who is eligible? How much does it cost?
The AD MediLink team has done all the research and kept it up-to-date, so you don’t have to. Stay safe and healthy.
NOTE: For a full guide about COVID-19 testing in Chinese, read here.
Should I get tested?
It is recommended you get tested if you develop any major COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, tiredness, dry cough.
Other minor symptoms to watch out for include shortness of breath, aches, sore throat, diarrhea, nausea and a runny nose.
You should also consider getting tested if you have been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case.
Important: All passengers arriving from high-risk countries (Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, South Africa, Philippines, Indonesia, USA and Kazakhstan) need to get tested before their flight and show a certificate before boarding.
Which COVID-19 tests are available in Hong Kong?
Two types of COVID-19 tests are available:
– Antigen test, which detects the presence of COVID-19 in the body. It is a DNA test (also known as PCR) done by swabbing for lower respiratory tract specimens through the nose (also known as an NPS swab) or throat and analyzed in a lab (the CDC recommends the nose swab for more accurate results).
– Antibody test, which is a blood test looking for evidence of an immunity response to the virus, which suggests current (IGM) or previous (IGG) infection to COVID-19. The blood test is performed in a clinic or hospital and analyzed in a lab. A finger prick blood test is also available to do yourself from home.*
*It is important to note that this at-home test cannot be used as the sole basis for diagnosis and that further testing will be required in the event of a positive result.
How does COVID-19 testing work?
For the swab (i.e. the DNA test), laboratories compare the genetic material obtained with the genetic code of the virus this test is also known as a PCR test. Results for swab tests will usually take a couple of days but some places offer next day results. This is the golden standard in Hong Kong as it has a high sensitivity and over 97% accuracy.
As for blood tests, the blood will be tested for antibodies fighting COVID-19. Blood tests done in clinics or hospitals can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a couple of days but the at-home finger prick tests only take 15 minutes.
The finger prick test (or antibody test) has been neither validated nor standardized and has a high incidence of false positive results when the patient exhibits no symptoms.
For this reason, the DNA test (or PCR test) is the only valid test accepted to prove you are COVID-free.
For the latest news about COVID-19, read our daily update.
Coronavirus testing in public hospitals
There are 43 public hospitals in Hong Kong. To get tested in a public hospital, you will first need to see a doctor at that hospital for a consultation. The consultation fee for public hospitals is HKD180. The doctor you see will determine your eligibility for a test (depending on your symptoms, travel history and any close contact with people who tested positive for COVID-19).
If it is determined that you are eligible, a nasal swab test will be done. The test is free. The only service you will have to pay for is the $180 doctor consultation.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has set up a hotline for any public enquiry about COVID-19: +852 2125 1122. The Hong Kong government has also set up a page with all of the latest local developments.
IMPORTANT: Tests done in the public sector will not carry a health certificate declaring you free of COVID-19.
DISCOVER OUR TOP READS
1. COVID-19: Your Daily Update
2. Quarantine hotels in Hong Kong
3. Is it safe to travel during this pandemic?
4. Travelling (back) to Hong Kong: step-by-step guide
Coronavirus testing in private hospitals
There are 12 private hospitals in Hong Kong. Below are the ones offering COVID-19 tests within their outpatient departments. Tests are done in person unless specified otherwise.
Please note that some outpatient clinics may not accept suspected or high-risk cases and prefer sending these patients to the public sector.
Price | Procedure | Eligibility | Appointment | |
(2835 8605) | Package including one-time consultation + deep throat saliva test + test result report: $1,800 | Results within the same day for sample submission before 9:30am | Not eligible if you: | |
(2849 1500) | Package including consultation + NPS & throat swabs + blood test: $2,500 | Blood test and swab | No symptoms | Call, Email (info@matilda.org) or Fill out online form |
(2275 6688) | Consultation: $220 |
| Consultation with a doctor | Call or Email (info@twah.org.hk) to arrange |
(3153 9000) | Package including consultation + deep throat saliva test + test report: $1,950 | Test results available on the same day for specimen submitted before 2pm | Need either: | Call or Online booking |
(3651 8808) | Consultation: | Results within the same day (within 2 hours) | Not travelled out of Hong Kong in the last 14 days | If no recent travel or contact: walk-in |
(2522 2181) | NPS test or Deep throat test: $1,500 (exclude doctor consultation fee and sample collection fee) | Results on the next day after 12pm for sample submitted before 2pm | Not travelled out of Hong Kong in the last 14 days | Call to arrange |
(2608 3388) | Deep throat saliva test: $2,000 | Results in 24-48 hours | Doctor determines eligiblity | Call to arrange |
(3971 9900) | Deep throat saliva test + test report: $1,280 | Deep throat saliva test: Results within 24 hours | Doctor determines eligiblity | Book via WhatsApp 6599 8461 |
(2339 8888) | Package including consultation + deep throat saliva test + test result report: $1,500 | Results on the same day at around 6pm | Doctor determines eligiblity | Online booking only |
(2711 5222) | Deep throat saliva test + results: $1,500 (doctor consultation fee not included) | Results on the same day for specimen submitted before 10am | Doctor determines eligiblity | Call to arrange |
*St Paul’s Hospital and St Teresa Hospital did not offer COVID-19 testing when we last checked with them (September 16, 2020). All amounts are in HKD. No responsibility is accepted for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. It is always best to call ahead to make sure the information is still up-to-date.
Coronavirus testing in private clinics
A number of private clinics now offer COVID-19 testing. Here are some of the ones that do according to our research.
Price | Procedure | Eligibility | Appointment | |
(2537 6898) | Consultation: $900 | Phone consultation | Not travelled out of Hong Kong in the last 14 days | |
(2155 9055) | Consultation: $1,050 Stat PCR (24 hours results): $2,100
| Phone consultation | No conditions for consultation | |
(2824 0822) | Consultation: $1,100 | Phone consultation | No conditions | Call or Email enquiries@centralhealth.com.hk |
(2987 7575) | Consultation: $790 | Phone consultation | No conditions | Call or Email enquiries@centralhealth.com.hk |
(2197 0122) | Consultation + deep throat saliva test: $1,480 | Consultation with doctor | No conditions | Online booking only |
(8301 8301) | (For people with symptoms) PCR test + clinic consultation: $300 | Results within 1-2 working days | No conditions | Fill out online form or Call specific centre directly |
(6511 8000) | Deep throat saliva test: $1,990 | Results within 72 hours | Doctor determines eligibility | |
(2158 8500) | Tele-consultation + deep throat saliva test: $1,400 | Tele-consultation with a doctor who determines eligibility | No conditions for consultation | Make appointment by phone 2869 9812 |
(3420 6622) | Deep throat saliva test: $1,300 + $750 for consultation | Results in 2-3 days | - No symptoms | Call in or Email for appointment |
(3622 3452) | PCR test with medical certificate: $1,580 PCR test: $880 Rapid antibody testing: $280 | PCR test results in 2 working days Rapid antibody test results in 15 minutes | No conditions | Call in for appointment |
*Last updated on September 16, 2020. All amounts are in HKD. No responsibility is accepted for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. It is always best to call ahead to make sure the information is still up-to-date.
At-home COVID-19 testing in Hong Kong
– Hong Kong home care company Evercare now provides COVID-19 tests performed by a nurse at home or in the office for HKD2,200/person (HKD1,800/person for groups of 5 or above), with results within 1 to 2 days via email (additional HKD500 for same day results, HKD800 for health certificate + phone consultation and original copy couriered to your home).
– Instaspecialist also provides tests performed by a nurse at home, after a doctor consultation, with results on the same day.
– DNA-testing company Prenetics has launched a new initiative called “Project Screen”. It offers at-home COVID-19 testing, via a Physician and WHO-recommended RT-PCR lab test. The results will tell you if you are positive or negative for COVID-19, based on validated studies by the National Health Commission and the US FDA.
I’ve tested positive for COVID-19. What now?
The doctor will inform the Department of Health. You will then be taken to a hospital to be quarantined. Anyone you’ve been in close contact will need to stay at one of the government’s three quarantine centre to complete a 14-day quarantine.
Family members living in the same unit will be put in the save flat during quarantine.
Does health insurance cover COVID-19 testing in Hong Kong?
According to our team’s research, pandemics (e.g. COVID-19) are usually covered.
If you want to get tested, most insurers will cover you if you meet the following conditions:
– you need to have an outpatient cover,
– a Registered Medical Practitioner found that you have shown relevant clinical signs and symptoms,
– you entered your health insurance plan before you had symptoms (this term is usually applicable to individual plan instead of corporate plan).
If you have questions regarding health insurance, talk to an expert at AD Medilink.
Useful resources in Hong Kong
– Quarantine HK Facebook Support Group
– Information on quarantine for inbound travellers from the government
– COVID-19 Hong Kong Facebook Update and Support Group
Looking for health insurance? For expert, reliable advice, contact AD MediLink now at hello@admedilink.hk or +852 2606 2668 to receive a free quote. An advisor uniquely trained on your options will answer all your questions.
This article was independently written by AD MediLink and is not sponsored. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional advice and should never be relied upon for specific advice.
