COVID-19 Test in Hyderabad: Everything You Should Know about Coronavirus Testing in Hyderabad

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Last updated on 6 July 2021

Wondering where you can get yourself or your family member tested for COVID-19 in Hyderabad? How long do you need to wait for your test reports to arrive? What is the price of the test? Are testing facilities available at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad? Read along to find answers to all your questions regarding coronavirus testing in Hyderabad.

What types of tests are available in Hyderabad, India?

Currently, coronavirus testing in Hyderabad are of the following types, as sanctioned by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the apex body of biomedical research in India:

RT-PCR Tests

The RT-PCR test or the Reverse transcription-polymerase Chain Reaction is considered to relay the most accurate outcomes for COVID-19 diagnosis. To detect the virus’s presence, the suspect’s nasal and throat swabs are collected. Researchers use an enzyme that converts the genetic material RNA in the virus to DNA through a process called Reverse Transcription. A fluorescent signal in the RT-PCR machine marks the presence of the virus in the swab, even from asymptomatic patients.

Rapid Antibody Tests

In the antibodies test, laboratories probe the blood sample of the suspect for a possible antibody that the body may have developed in response to the virus infection. While they cannot really be used for the detection of virus presence, the serological test points out if the person had exposure to the virus recently. Laboratories search for the presence of two varieties of antibodies, namely, IgM and IgG antibodies, each of which arrives at different points of infection.

Inter-state travellers, residents of containment zones, police, and paramilitary workers usually undergo this COVID test in Hyderabad. ICMR advises for a confirmatory test after the antibody test because it can result in false positives. The test is quick and inexpensive, hence the name rapid test.

Rapid Antigen Tests

The antigen is a toxin that engenders an immune response in the body. Here too, the presence of the virus is checked instead of its antibody. Professionals try to do so by detecting the spike protein in the coronavirus possibly present in the nasal swab of the suspected patient.

Since the test is reliant on a small quantity of test material that doesn’t undergo multiplication like in the RT-PCR test, enough antigen material may be missing for rightful detection. This can result in false negatives. So, ICMR advises that if your antigen test comes out to be negative, you should then go for an RT-PCR test for confirmation. In Hyderabad, several Urban Primary Health Centers (UPHC) conduct the rapid antigen test.

TrueNat Tests

TrueNat is a chip-based testing system which is originally used to diagnose HIV and tuberculosis. It works like an RT-PCR test to detect the virus genes and not the antibody in the patient. The portable kit is battery-operated and collects nasal or throat swab.

 

Where can I get tested in Hyderabad?

The uptick in the number of coronavirus positive cases in Hyderabad and all of India has been met with the quick rise in the number of COVID testing centres. Along with government medical centres, numerous private labs have been set up following ICMR guidelines to meet the testing demands. Below you can find a list of government and private labs in Hyderabad from where you can get a COVID test report.

You’ll need a referral to get tested. As stated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, you are first advised to call on the toll-free number 1075 or central helpline number +91-11-23978046 for information before going for a COVID test. In Hyderabad, you may also call 104, the Telangana state helpline number for COVID-19 or GHMC helpline 040-2111-1111. 

Government Institutes

RT-PCR Tests

Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad: Google Location
Contact: +914024653992, Lab Contact Number:  9848097635

Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad: Google Location
Call: +914027502742

Sir Ronald Ross of Tropical & Communicable Diseases, Hyderabad: Google Location
Contact: +914027682218

Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad: Google Location
Call on +91-40-23489000,+91-40-23396552, +91-40-23489244,+91-40-23489245  for queries

Institute of Preventive Medicine, Hyderabad: Google Location
Call +91-112397 8046

ESIC Medical College, Hyderabad: Google Location
Phone number: +914029803832, 1800-11-3839

Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology, Hyderabad: Google Location
Ask for queries about an appointment here: +914027160222, +91 40 27160222-31, 27160232-41,

Centre for DNA Fingerprinting & Diagnostics, Hyderabad: Google Location
Shoot an email: [email protected]

Railway Hospital, Lallaguda, Secunderabad: Google Location
Call +91-40-27789176

 

Private Laboratories

RT-PCR Tests

Laboratory Services, Apollo Hospitals, 6th Floor, Health Street Building, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad: Google Location
Call: +91-9152824327

Vijaya Diagnostic Centre Pvt Ltd, Street No 19, Himayath Nagar, Hyderabad: Google Location
Call 040-21000000 or mail [email protected] You can also submit an inquiry or request a call back here.

Vimta Labs Ltd, Plot No 142, Phase 2, IDA Cherlapally, Hyderabad: Google Location
Lab Contact Number:  040-27264141, 040-27264444, 040-27268100

Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited, Diagnostic Laboratory, Bowenpally, Secunderabad: Google Location
Phone number: +919100911393, 040-4444-2424, 040-69000788

Dr. Remedies Labs Private Ltd, A3, Titus Plaza, Sharma Commercial Complex, Punjagutta, Hyderabad: Google Location
Contact Number:  04023350611

Pathcare Labs Pvt Ltd, Medchal, Hyderabad: Google Location
Call 08886091717, 7702292929, or 040-61216121 or email query here: Email: [email protected]

American Institute of Pathology And Lab Sciences Pvt Ltd, Citizens Hospital, Serilingampally, Hyderabad: Google Location
Phone: +91-4067191919, +91-9000900773

Medcis Pathlabs India Pvt Ltd, Plot No 16 & 17, Swathi Plaza, Anand Nagar, New Bowenpally, Secunderabad: Google Location

Call 07702292929. Email: [email protected]

Department of Lab Medicine, Yashoda Hospital, 9th Floor, 1-1-156 & 157, Alexander Road, Secunderabad: Google Location

Call +91 40 45674567. Email: [email protected]

Biognosys Technologies (India) Pvt Ltd, #8-148/174/11, NRI Colony, Near Aleap Industrial Area, Medchal, Malkajgiri: Google Location

Contact +91-8885566355 or  +91-8885566477. Email: [email protected]

Tenet Diagnostics, Plot No 51, Kineta Towers, Journalist Colony, Road No 3, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad: Google Location
Call: 8688086880

AIG Hospitals, Survey No 136, Plot No 2/3/4/5, 1, Mindspace Rd, Gachibowli, Hyderabad: Google Location
Call for booking 04023378888 or queries: 91-40-4244 4222 / 6744 4222

Cell Correct Diagnostics, Virinchi Hospitals, Road No 1, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad: Google Location
Call: 04046999999, +91-9100599832 or send an email at [email protected] Visit here for more.

Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Ltd, Dept of Lab Services, 1-8-31/1, Minister Road, Secunderabad: Google Location

Call +91-40–44885083 or Email [email protected]

LEPRA Society-Blue Peter Public Health and Research Centre, Cherlapally, Near TEC Building, Hyderabad: Google Location
Phone no.: +919949179007 Email id: [email protected]

MAPMYGENOME India Ltd, Royal Demeure, Plot No 12/2, Sector-1, HUDA Techno Enclave, Madhapur, Hyderabad: Google Location
Appointment contact: 18001024595, 040-66986700, or book your test here. Don’t forget to fill out the ICMR referral form.

Lucid Medical Diagnostics Pvt Ltd, Plot No 203,203A, Vasavi Nagar, Karkhana, Secunderabad: Google Location
Call +91-40-44194444

Diagnostic Laboratory Services, Kamineni Hospitals Ltd., Unit D 4-7, Industrial Estate, Moula Ali, Hyderabad: Google Location
Contact +91-40-27241735

MEGSAN Diagnostics Pvt Ltd, Survey No. 1, Pet Basheerabad, Kompally, Medchal Mandal, Hyderabad: Google Location
Call +91-40-30272727

Shree Krishna Diagnostics, #2-22-298/8/2/A, KPHB Main Road, Kukatpally, Hyderabad: Google Location
Contact +91-40-48513336

Avigna laboratories LLP, H.No1-54/56/3, J.S. Plaza, Madinaguda, serlingampally, Rangareddy, Hyderabad : Google Location
Call +91-9704228877

Likhithas Diagnostics and speciality Lab, Door no: 13-3-12/A, Chaitanyapuri, Dilsukhnagar, Hyderabad: Google Location
Contact +(91) 888 554 8301

Neuberg Diagnostics Pvt Ltd, Madhapur, Hyderabad: Google Location
Call +91-40-23122211

Sandor Speciality Diagnostic Pvt. Ltd., Address: 8-2-326/5, Road No 3, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad: Google Location
Contact 18004259515

Cytomol Labs, H. No:1-534, Ground Floor, Gandhinagar, (Near Andhra Café), Hyderabad: Google Location
Call +91-40-27669445

Kamineni Academy of Medical Sciences And Research Centre, L.B. Nagar, Hyderabad: Google Location
Contact +91-7729006644

Umed Clinical Reference Lab (A division of Umed pharma lab pvt Ltd), Plot No.50/A/1, Bachupalli, M.M District, Hyderabad: Google Location
Call +91-7032979499

Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad: Google Location
Contact +91-40-24340169

Mamata Academy of Medical Sciences, Bachupally, Medchal Malkajgiri, Erstwhile Rangareddy Dist.: Google Location
Call +91-9121333205

Medicover Hospital Laboratory Services, Opp. Cyber Gateway, IBIS hotel lane, Hitech City, Hyderabad: Google Location
Contact +91-40-68334455

Malla Reddy Narayana Multi Speciality Hospital Central Clinical Laboratory, Malla Reddy Medical College for Women, Door No:1-1-216, Suraram X Road, Hyderabad: Google Location

Panchasheel Medical Services Pvt Ltd, #401A & 401B Navketan Complex, Clock Tower, Secunderabad: Google Location

CPATH Labs, (A Unit of Sripath Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd), Plot 450 and 476, KK Plaza,100 feet road, Ayyappa Society, Hyderabad: Google Location
Call +91-9100993399.

Sage Path Labs Pvt Ltd, Plot No. 564, First Floor, Buddanagar, Near Saibaba Temple, Peerzadiguda, Boduppal, Hyderabad: Google Location
Call +91-40-40125441

Matrix Diagnostics, HIG 131 &132, Dwaraka Mai Building, 2nd Floor, Above HDFC Bank, 6th Phase, Near Forum Sujana Mall, KPHB, Hyderabad: Google Location
Book an appointment here

Operon Diagnostics, 3rd and 4th Floor, Hymavathi heights, Road no.8, Alwal hills, HT Rd, Rani Vihar, Kompally, Hyderabad: Google Location
Contact +91-9640799459

Central Lab Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Apollo Health City Campus, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad: Google Location
Call +91-40-23285555

Mapmygenome India Ltd, Airport Village, Level C, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad: Google Location

Sipra Labs Ltd, 7-2-1813/5/A, Adj to Post Office, Industrial Estate, Sanath Nagar, Hyderabad: Google Location
Contact +91-40-23802000

Clinova Path Labs Pvt. Ltd., H.No 5- 54/1/7, P.NO: 7, Military Dairy Farm Road, Plot No. 7, Swarnadhama Nagar, Old Bowenpally, Secunderabad: Google Location
Call +91-9853104108

Medquest Diagnostics Private Limited, 5th Floor, Diamond Tower, Khairathabad, Hyderabad: Google Location

Acclin Path Labs India Pvt Ltd, plot no: E7, Vikrampuri Colony, Karkhana, Secunderabad: Google Location
Contact +91-9849523474

Central Laboratory, Bhaskar Medical College and Bhaskar General Hospital, Yenkapalle, Moinabad, Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy: Google Location
Call +91-8413235446

Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Rainbow Children’s Medicare Private Limited, Survey No 403, Road No 2, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad: Google Location
Contact +91-40-44665555

 

TrueNAT Tests

Dept of Lab Medicine, Star Hospital, A Unit of UniMed Healthcare Pvt Ltd, 8-2-594/B, Road No 10, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad: Google Location
Call: +914044777777

 

CB NAAT Tests

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Gleneagles Global Hospital, Lakdi- ka- pul, Hyderabad: Google Location

Continental Hospital Private Limited, Department of Advanced Diagnostics and Laboratory medicine, Plot No. 3, Road No.2, IT & Financial District, Nanakramguda, Hyderabad: Google Location
Call +91-4067000000.

 

Home Collection

If you want to get tested for coronavirus, you can opt for an at-home collection facility for COVID testing through online booking. Most labs, including Vijaya Diagnostic Center and Medintu in Hyderabad, provide the facility to meet the gap in logistics. This essentially means that you no longer need to step out of your house for a COVID test. Trained health officials arrive, clad in PPE, and collect the samples, ensuring minimum contact all the while.

For home testing, you also have rapid antigen test and antibody test kits available on Indiamart from ICMR-approved testing labs in Hyderabad. In several containment zones and slum areas where visiting hospitals is not possible for residents to get tested, the state health department has begun free doorstep testing in association with Vera Smart Healthcare. These mobile testing Volvo buses are operating throughout the state and collecting samples from symptomatic individuals for free.

 

COVID testing at Hyderabad airport for arriving passengers

The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad launched an on-site COVID-19 testing laboratory at the International Arrivals and Departures, giving flyers the added facility for a safe journey. Thanks to this, passengers coming from the UK, Europe, Middle East, South Africa, and Brazil can take their second test conveniently on arrival. You can also book your test appointment here.  

To provide the services for testing novel coronavirus samples, GHIAL has collaborated with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) certified agency and Mapmygenome, a city-based National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). Set up at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, the Mapmygenome coronavirus test laboratory is operational round the clock. Other than the on-site COVID-19 testing facility for air passengers, the laboratory also offers walk-in options for airport staff or anyone interested in getting a coronavirus test done.

The airport has come up with a COVID-19 testing facility to ensure easier availability of coronavirus testing for all arriving international flyers as well as others who require access to such a facility. On arrival, the international air passengers with a negative RT-PCR test report can continue their onward journey or they can get an exemption from Institutional Quarantine.

If the result of the test comes out positive, the traveller will be processed in line with applicable protocols of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) mandated by the state government authorities. 

 

How much do COVID tests in Hyderabad cost?

ICMR encourages labs and hospitals to conduct tests free of cost or at least at affordable rates. Expect to pay around INR 500 as it is the new cap rate in Hyderabad. This is inclusive of Personal Protective Equipment and the cost of the test itself. For home collection such as VFS Global’s ‘at your door’ testing, the charge is INR 750 for the added logistics. The testing of the sample is free at government laboratories.

Rapid antigen test kits are usually available in the country at INR 450. In slums and containment zones of Hyderabad, as mentioned earlier, the COVID-19 RAT test is free for symptomatic residents. Rapid antibody tests cost around INR 750.

 

When should you take a COVID test?

Sure, this is the most confusing part since the initial stage of COVID-19 symptoms is nothing different from your common flu. The wide-spread variety of symptoms in infected individuals with some even going asymptomatic makes it no easier. But in most cases, the following symptoms tend to last longer than your regular fever or flu:

• Fever
• Difficulties in breathing
• Cough

Other clinical symptoms included in the list by ICMR are:

• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Mucous formation and running nose
• Muscle pain
• Anosmia or loss of taste
• Ageusia or loss of smell

Gastrointestinal problems are also not uncommon. It is advisable that if any symptom surfaces, you seek medical assistance instead of indulging in self-medication. Take medications as your physician prescribes. If you see the symptoms are persisting for more than three days even after administering medicine, you can go for a COVID test.

ICMR also prioritizes testing of high-risk contacts and asymptomatic suspects who need to undergo any acute surgery. The high-risk category involves individuals in their 60s or above and those suffering from non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, chronic kidney ailment, hypertension, cardiac diseases, etc. If you are suffering from influenza or other acute respiratory infections, the same applies to you.

If you wish to travel to a state or foreign nation which asks for a negative COVID-19 test report before entry, you can get a test done, thanks to the Union Health Ministry’s advisory on ‘Testing On Demand‘. Even if you are not travelling, you can take a test if you wish to, for other practical reasons. That being said, try not to take a test out of panic or fear as that overburdens health officials for no reason.

To avoid potential foul play, you must get your test done only from an ICMR-accredited testing centre. If need be, you can cross-check the lab’s authenticity by checking their ICMR registration number, which the governing body states should be prominently mentioned by the labs in the test reports.

 

What documents are needed for a COVID test?

A prescription is no longer needed for a COVID-19 test in Hyderabad. You only need to submit your Hyderabad address proof using government ID (Aadhar card/ Passport/ Voter card) and ICMR specimen referral form for COVID-19. For some labs, you can find similar patient information forms on their respective website like the one for Medintu lab, which can be downloaded from their app. At the time of sample collection, the lab will also collect your phone number.

 

How long until I get my COVID test results?

RT-PCR tests can be complete in as little as three hours. However, due to the large number of tests being conducted, labs take anywhere between six hours to a day to reveal the test reports. Government units can take up to 48 hours for processing after sample collection. Until the test results arrive, you must stay in isolation to prevent the potential transmission of the virus.

Rapid tests typically produce a positive or negative result within 30 minutes. While the outcome is fast, they serve the purpose of merely preliminary tests rather than giving any reliable, substantial result. TrueNat takes around 60 minutes for interpretation.

 

What happens after the test?

Testing labs would inform you of the results of the test either via phone or over email. If you test positive for coronavirus, stay calm, and follow along with the directions of the health officials. Other residents of your home are likely to undergo a COVID test as per the health team’s instructions. They would also start contact tracing and put them in quarantine unless a test is arranged.

Asymptomatic cases or those with mild symptoms are often deemed suitable for home isolation. Apartments with at least two separate rooms with separate washrooms can qualify for home isolation. Otherwise, medical officials would transfer you to a COVID care centre.

You will have all the prescribed medicines and a pulse oximeter at your disposal. Other consultations will take place over the phone. Download the Aarogya Setu app,, which will let the nearest hospital know about your health status. If your case deteriorates, you will be transferred to a dedicated care centre.