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Updated 15 June 2021

Wondering where you can get yourself or your family member tested for COVID-19 in Delhi? 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 Delhi International Airport? Read along to find answers to all your questions regarding coronavirus testing in Delhi.

Wego COVID Article on testing centers

What types of tests are available in Delhi, India?

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

RT-PCR test

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 test

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 Delhi. 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 Test

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.

TruNat tests

TruNat 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 Delhi?

The uptick in the number of coronavirus positive cases in Delhi and all of India has been met with a 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 Delhi from where you can get a COVID test report.

You could easily walk into any of these centres for a COVID test without a referral. 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 Delhi, you may also call 011-22307145, the state helpline number for COVID-19. 

In the earlier months, you had to bring a COVID-19 test prescription from a qualified physician to get tested. The government has now eased the COVID-19 testing norms by issuing an order allowing citizens to walk into registered private laboratories or private hospitals and get themselves tested for COVID-19 at their own cost.

Government Institutes

RT-PCR Tests

All India Institute Medical Sciences. Google Location

Lady Hardinge Medical College. Google Location

National Centre for Disease Control. Google Location

Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. Google Location

Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences. Google Location

Army Hospital Research & Referral. Google Location

Maulana Azad Medical College. Google Location

Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital. Google Location

University College of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Google Location

Army Base Hospital, New Delhi. Google Location

CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi. Google Location

Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Taharpur, Delhi. Google Location

Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (VPCI), Delhi. Google Location

Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), DRDO, Delhi. Google Location

Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS-DRDO), New Delhi. Google Location

Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), Delhi. Google Location

International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, New Delhi. Google Location

Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College, Rohini. Google Location

ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Sector 8, Dwarka, New Delhi. Google Location

Gobind Balabh Panth Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, New Delhi. Google Location

Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME), Subroto Park, Delhi. Google Location

Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya, Geeta Colony, Delhi. Google Location

National Institute of Immunology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi. Google Location

Hansraj College, University of Delhi, Mahatma Hans Raj Marg, Malka Ganj, New Delhi. Google location 

TrueNAT Tests

Naval Medical Centre, INS, Delhi. Google Location

Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME), Subroto Park, Delhi. Google Location

 

CB NAAT Tests

State TB Training and Demonstration Centre, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Delhi Gate. Google Location

Department of Microbiology, National Institute of TB and Respiratory Diseases (NITRD), New Delhi. Google Location

Northern Railway Central Hospital, New Delhi. Google Location

 

Other M-NA Tests

Microbiology Laboratory, JPN Trauma Centre, AIIMS, New Delhi. Google Location

 

Private Labs

RT-PCR Tests

Dr. Lal PathLabs, Block -E, Sector 18, Rohini, Delhi. Near Indian Oil Petrol Pump. Google Location
Register on lalpathlabs.com or call customer 011-3988-5050

Dr. Dangs Lab, C-2/1, Safdarjung Development Area, New Delhi. Google Location
Only home collection available. You can book online or call customer care 999-999-2020.

Laboratory Services, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi. Google Location
You can call their 24/7 call centre at +91-11-71791090 / 1091 or request a callback.

Max Lab, Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, New Delhi. Google Location
Call COVID helpline number +91-11-66114511 and download patient proforma for COVID testing at Max Lab.

Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Clinical Lab Services, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi. Google Location
Call on COVID helpline number at SGRH: 011-42253001, 011-42253002, 011-42253003, +91-9818840984, +91-9311407392, 9311407393

Prognosis Laboratories, 515-16, Sector 19, Dwarka. Google Location
To book a test, shoot a message or call on +91 – 8130192290 or +91 – 8130920600

City X-Ray & Scan Clinic Pvt Ltd, 4B/18, Tilak Nagar, New Delhi. Google Location
Call on customer care 9577727772 and fill out ICMR specimen referral form for COVID-19 testing at City X-Ray.

Lifeline Laboratory, H-11, Green Park Extension, New Delhi. Google Location
Book an appointment for drive-thru testing or fill this form for home collection

Dept of Lab Services, Dr. B.L. Kapur Memorial Hospital, 5, Pusa Road, New Delhi. Google Location
Inquire and find out more about laboratory services at BLK Memorial Hospital here.

Dept of Laboratory Services, Action Cancer Hospital, A-4, Paschim Vihar (East), New Delhi. Google Location
Drop an inquiry for the test here.

Star Imaging & Path Lab Pvt Ltd, 4B/4, Tilak Nagar, New Delhi. Google Location 
To book a test, fill the details here. You could also opt for a home collection.

Genestrings Diagnostic Centre Pvt Ltd, 3, MMTC, Geetanjali Enclave, New Delhi. Google Location
Call on customer care 8447045599 or directly book your COVID test here.

Sterling Accuris Diagnostics, A division of Sterling Accuris Wellness Pvt Ltd, C-65, Block C, Phase I, Okhla, New Delhi. Google Location
Call 8128130000 or download Sterling Accuris app (Android or iOS) to get a free home sample collection.

CRL Diagnostics Pvt Ltd, Plot No 10, Avtar Enclave, Opposite Metro Pillar 227, Paschim Vihar, Rohtak Road, New Delhi. Google Location
Book the test online via CRL website or mobile app else you can call at their customer care no. 011-42787878.

Dept of Lab Medicine, HCMCT, Manipal Hospital, Main Road, Sector 6, Dwarka, New Delhi. Google Location
Book an appointment or get on a video consultation with a doctor by registering here.

Gen-X Diagnostics, 2/6, Sarvapriya Vihar, New Delhi. Google Location
To avail home collection facility kindly contact their customer care at 9810033177, 9810033770

Noble Diagnostic Centre, WZ-409C, Janak Park, Hari Nagar, Opposite DDU Hospital, New Delhi. Google Location
Book an appointment or get your sample collected from the convenience of your home by registering here.

Mahajan Imaging Pvt Ltd, E-19, Defence Colony, New-Delhi. Google Location
Contact 011-49248000 or book the test online by filling this form.

Dept of Lab Sciences, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, Sector 5, Rohini, New-Delhi. Google Location
Call +91-11-47022222 to book an appointment.

Metropolis Healthcare Ltd. E21, Block-B1, Mohan Cooperative Industrial Estate, South East Delhi. Google Location
Book a COVID antibody test by filling this registration form.

Gagan Pathology & Imaging Pvt Ltd F26/21-22, Near Ayodhya Chowk, Sector 7, Rohini, Delhi. Google Location
Call 011-27052705 to book a test.

Saral Diagnostics, 2&3, Shakti Vihar, Pitampura. Google Location
Call  011-47111111 or book home collection for COVID-19 testing by registering here.

Unipath Diagnostics, C-4, Green Park Extension, New Delhi. Google Location
For an appointment, call 011-41055550. Drive-thru services and home collection facilities are also available for COVID-19 testing.

Aarogya Pathcare LLP, 1/4 First Floor, Single Storey, Tilak Nagar, Main Najafgarh Road, New Delhi. Google Location
Contact 011 – 46040805 to book a test.

Ganesh Diagnostic And Imaging Centre Pvt Limited 109 Pkt A-1 Sector 8 Rohini, Delhi. Google Location
Book an appointment for RT-PCR tests by submitting a query here.

Oncquest Lab Ltd-Mol Bio, B2/1, Africa Avenue Road, Opp St Thomas Church, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi. Google Location
Book an antibody test by filling up this form.

Dr. S.S. Doda’s Ultrasound Centre Pathology Lab, 23 B, Pusa Road, New Delhi. Google Location
Call 011-4300 6300, 9643106759 or 9643106760 to book an appointment for COVID-19 testing.

Saroj Super Specialty Hospital, Madhuban Chowk, Rohini, Delhi. Google Location
Book a video consultation and an appointment by registering here.

Sanghi Medical Centre Pvt Ltd, S-63, Greater Kailash Part 1, New Delhi. Google Location
Book a COVID-19 test by filling this form or contact 011-29238585, 011-29238586.

Advanced Genomics Institute and Laboratory Medicine Pvt Ltd, 1513, First Floor, Guman Puri Complex, Wazir Nagar, Bhishma Pitamah Marg, New Delhi. Google Location
Contact 9999746045 or drop a mail at [email protected] to book an appointment.

Genestrings Diagnostic Centre Pvt. Ltd, 4th Floor, Multilevel Car Parking, Indra Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Google Location
Call on customer care 8447045599 or directly book your COVID test here.

Divoc Laboratories, A 296/1, Okhla Phase I industrial area, New Delhi. Google Location
Send them a note by calling them at ​1800120145145 or book an online test here.

Hakeem Abdul Hameed Centenary Hospital Laboratory & HIMSR, Jamia Hamdard Campus, Guru Ravidas Marg, Block D, Hamdard Nagar, South East, Delhi. Google
location

Contact 011-29901111 or 8588890999 to book a test.

JITM Skills Pvt. Ltd., G-16 F/F KH NO1076/5/2/733, Delhi. Google Location
Book an RT/q-PCR test by calling 9891676453 or drop a mail at [email protected].

Sequence Referral Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. Krishna Bhawan,1st Floor, Plot No.7 & 8, A-3 Local Shopping Complex, Janak Puri, New Delhi. Google Location
Contact the lab at 9810037653 or 011-25511160.

Shree Aggarsain International Hospital, PSP, Sector- 22, Rohini, Delhi. Google Location
Call 011-66636600 or 011-45911911 to book an appointment.

Focus Imaging & Research Center – Laboratory, 7/1-4 Yusuf Sarai, New Delhi. Google Location
Contact 011-42199992 to book a COVID-19 test.

Dr P Bhasin Path Labs (P) Ltd, S 13 Greater Kailash Part 1, New Delhi. Google Location
Fill in the form for a COVID19 test appointment.

Agility Diagnostics Pvt Ltd, 193, Third Floor, Mundka, NH-10, Delhi. Google Location
Dial 8800204141 for a sample collection.

JDAR Pathology Laboratory, 2/6 Shanti Niketan, New Delhi. Google Location
Call 9310535943 for home collection.

Lipomic Laboratory, Lipomic Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., B-57, First Floor, Naraina Industrial Area Phase – 2, New Delhi Google Location
Contact the lab at 011-45500127

Health Well Diagnostics Private Limited,C- 1/98, Ground Floor, Lajpat Nagar-1, New Delhi. Google Location
Contact the lab at +918595683154

FICCI Research and Analysis Centre – Molecular Laboratory, Plot 2A, Sector 8, Dwarka, New Delhi. Google Location
Contact the lab at +911145333500

Medibird Diagnostics – BF – 3, Jail Road, Janak Puri, Next to Dominos, Opp BBQ Company, New Delhi. Google Location
Contact the lab at 8558-90-90-90

Dr Lalchandani Labs, 19-C Club Road, Punjabi Bagh (West), New Delhi. Google Location
Contact the lab at +918010689689

Dr Suri Lab Pvt Ltd, 23-B Pusa Road, New Delhi. Google Location
Contact the lab at +911147533654

Medivisa Diagnostic Centre, G1, G2 Delhi Blue Apt., Safdarjung Ring Road, Next to AIIMS Trauma Centre, New Delhi. Google Location
Contact the lab at +911126174022

Cee Dee Diagnostics, 5/3, Gulab Bhag, Nawada, New Delhi. Google Location
Contact the lab at +919250059194

Dr. Remedies Labs Pvt Ltd,A-9, Second Floor, C-Block, Commercial Complex, Naraina Vihar, New Delhi. Google Location

 

TrueNAT Tests

Aakash Path Lab, Aakash Healthcare & Super specialty Hospital, Road No 201, Sector 3, Dwarka, New Delhi. Google Location

Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi. Google Location

Mata Chanan Devi Hospital, C1, Janakpuri, New Delhi. Google Location

NirAmaya Pathlabs, B4, New Multan Nagar, New Delhi. Google Location

Saini Diagnostics, 460 B /1A street no 11, Vishwas Nagar Shahdara Delhi. Google Location

Goyal MRI & Diagnostic Centre, B-1/12, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi.  Google Location

Doctors Diagnostic Centre, 1441-A, Ward No-5 Opp. Primary Health Centre, Najafgarh, New Delhi.  Google Location

 

CB NAAT Tests

Venkateshwar Hospital, sector- 18A, Dwarka, New Delhi. Google Location

Dept of Laboratory Medicine, Batra Hospital & Medical Research Centre, 1, Tughlakabad Institutional Area, M.B. Road, New Delhi. Google Location

Molecular laboratory, Dharamshila Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, Vasundhara Enclave, Delhi. Google Location

Lab Microcare Diagnostic India Private Limited, A1 shiv park school road, Khanpur, New Delhi. Google Location

Micromol Solutions, Plot-88, First Floor, Pocket -2, Jasola, Delhi. Google Location

Other M-NA Testing Platforms

Microbiology Laboratory, JPN Trauma Centre, AIIMS, New Delhi Google Location 

At-home collection for COVID test in Delhi

If you want to get tested for coronavirus, you can opt for at-home collection facility for COVID testing through online booking. Most labs, such as Healthians, 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.

In addition to home collection facilities, it is also noteworthy that several private labs in Delhi, such as Dr. Dangs Lab, provides drive-thru COVID testing services. Suspected patients can take the test at the designated centres without stepping out of their cars. All bookings must be completed prior to the test. Carrying all necessary documents, as instructed by the lab, is non-negotiable.

 

COVID test in Delhi hospitals

In a quest to further trim down the virus transmission by early detection, several government hospitals in Delhi intends to test all patients who visit the non-COVID hospital. Earlier, only symptomatic patients had to undergo the test. Hospitals such as Delhi State Cancer Hospital and GB Pant’s Hospital, among others, are now conducting mandatory rapid antigen tests on every patient.

 

COVID testing at Delhi airport for arriving passengers

Doctor holding out covid test equipment

© Pixabay

Delhi International Airport Ltd. (DIAL) has arranged for COVID-19 testing facilities at Delhi Airport. The testing centre has been set up near terminal 3 in association with the Delhi-based laboratory Genestrings Diagnostic Centre Pvt. Ltd. (4th Floor, Multilevel Car Parking, Indra Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi). The test is for arriving international passengers who have a scheduled connecting flight to another city in India.

International arriving passengers can book a slot for RT-PCR testing at the Delhi airport by registering here and can directly approach the RT-PCR facility after their flight’s landing. The COVID RT-PCR testing facility at Delhi Airport can be accesed by all international passengers, including the residents of Delhi NCR, passengers intending to undertake onward domestic connection, or passengers flying internationally after a domestic flight.

You will need to pay a sum total of INR 800 as a fee for the test. However, this excludes waiting room charges, so if you are required to wait for the results before you leave the airport, you’ll need to bear that cost additionally. For test results to arrive, you may need to wait for a few hours, sometimes as long as six hours. Once your results show that you are COVID negative, you can go ahead and board your next flight. If you test positive, you would need to quarantine at any hotel in Delhi.

Note that, regardless of the facility, it is mandatory for international passengers to upload their negative test reports prior to arrival on the Air Suvidha portal.

The COVID testing facility at Delhi airport has now extended its services for passengers who will be boarding international flights in addition to being available for arrivals only. For departures, the tests cost INR 800 (the cap is the same as set by the Delhi government). Test results are available within six hours; so outbound passengers can arrive at the airport for testing seven to eight hours prior to scheduled departure.

How much do COVID tests in Delhi cost?

ICMR encourages labs and hospitals to conduct tests free of cost or at least at affordable rates. Expect to pay around INR 800 for the test in private labs in Delhi as it is the new cap set by the government. Home visits for sample collection will cost Rs 1200. Testing is free of cost in government facilities.

Antibody tests in Delhi cost between INR 800 to INR 1500. Rapid antigen test kits are usually available in the country’s capital at INR 450. For TruNat test kits, you need to pay around INR 1200.

 

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?

You only need your Delhi address proof from government ID (Aadhar card/ Passport/ Voter card) and fill out a form from ICMR.

 

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. TruNat 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. If you are in home isolation, you will have all prescribed medicines and a pulse oximeter at your disposal. All consultations will take place over the phone. If your case deteriorates, you will be transferred to a dedicated care centre.

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