What Is The RAKE Study?
The RAKE Study has returned to our testing centrea to provide free Rapid Antigen and PCR tests.
Epicentre is conducting this study in partnership with the highly respected AIDS research centre, CAPRISA. The RAKE study, was launched to test a new COVID-19 antigen cassette.
What Is The RAKE Test Procedure?
Just come through to our testing Centres or message our WhatsApp number at 072 843 7564
✔ Completing a brief questionnaire
✔ A nasal and 2 nasopharyngeal swabs to conduct PCR, and 2 Antigen tests.
✔ COVID-19 positive patients will be invited to participate in a follow-up study.
What Are We Hoping To Achieve?
COVID-19 is a new disease that has affected the lives of all South Africans. There is still a lot to learn about COVID-19 and how it has affected communities. Our primary aim is to:
1. To assess the COVID -19 Rapid Antigen diagnostic tests in the South African setting
2. This study will evaluate a SAPHRA approved antigen rapid COVID-19 test and a new unregistered but very promising second antigen rapid COVID-19 test
3. To improve the detection of these viruses to establish how COVID-19 is spreading in urban and rural KwaZulu-Natal
4. In order to guide locally appropriate prevention and clinical care.
Who Should Sign Up For RAKE?
You can join the RAKE Study if:
✔ You have been exposed to COVID-19 OR You are experiencing any of these symptoms:
shortness of breath, cough, sore throat, loss of taste or small, fatigue, myalgia or chest pain
✔ You can visit our Hillcrest Drive-Through Testing Centre
Want to Get Tested For Free But Don’t Want To Be Part Of A Study?
❌ Unfortunately, it is a requirement of our free testing that you take part in our study
✔ You are welcome to make use of our Walk-in lab.
How Is RAKE Study Anonymous?
✔ The RAKE Study has gone through a very strict ‘ethical review’ with several independent ethical comities for every part of the study. We have to protect every participant and follow a very strict plan about what happens to each person’s information (in terms of where it goes & who sees it). Which are explained in detail to every person who participates.
✔ & each team member, in the RAKE study team, is required to sign a confidentiality agreement when they begin working on the project.
So they may not discuss this information or disclose it to any outside parties.
Will I Find Out My Results Of My Test?
✔ Yes, we will send you your results.
Why Is It Important For People To Participate?
✔ You will help scientists know if these new antigen tests are effective at testing people for COVID-19 in South Africa.
✔ You help make South African COVID-19 testing easier and safer.
When Should You Get A RAKE PCR Test?
The Rake Study uses both an Antigen and a COVID-19 PCR test or a polymerase chain reaction test. The PCR test is a COVID test that is done to find genetic material from the COVD-19 virus. This kind of molecular tests detects the RNA of the coronavirus and are sensitive enough to only need a very tiny amount of it in order to pick up an infection.
The benefit of this test is its ability to pick up very small amounts of viral RNA very early in an infection, so there is a low chance for false negatives, including among pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 cases.
How Can A RAKE Test Help You?
✔ Free Rapid COVID-19 Antigen test (SAPHRA approved)
✔ Free confirmatory PRC test available within 36-48 hours.
What Laboratory Does RAKE Use?
Our RAKE study uses the CAPRISA Lab in Durban
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For 20 years Epicentre has been fighting South African’s infectious diseases, and now we’re taking on COVID-19! We are a company founded on a vision, ending disease in South Africa! So we believe in making an IMPACT.
We are an independent organization that is committed to creating a positive impact on health & wellness for all in South Africa.
We want to close the gap between unscreened, undiagnosed, and uncontrolled HIV & COVID-19 infections as well as other chronic diseases for all South Africans.
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