How To Get Free COVID Antigen & PCR Tests

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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.

COVID infection Day by day

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

Learn More About Our Walk-In Lab

Epicentre has an extensive walk-in testing centre for both rapid and lab tests. Learn more here.

Learn More

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Book with Epicentre

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.

By booking your tests with Epicentre, you are supporting a real local company that has worked for 20 years in all 9 provinces, from Pollsmoor prison to Constantia; & you’re getting a gold standard service that experts trust!

Epicentre Special Deals

We offer free and heavily discounted tests as they are subsidized by research organizations that are looking to use this anonymous information to investigate various research questions, like can people test themselves for COVID?

Our Special Deals

10% Off All Walk-In Lab Tests

Only for pensioners at all branches.

Free Blood Pressure Tests

With all Walk-In Lab tests

Drive-Thru COVID-19 PCR test

All branches – FREE!

(Not for travel)

Rapid COVID-19 Antigen/infection testing

R50 pensioners discount!

Epicentre offers

Walk-In Lab

Please note that our packages are just a guide, you can pick any of these tests in these packages, add extra tests or take out any tests. Choose what suits your needs!

Women’s Wellness Package (Foundation)

Women’s Wellness Package (+40yrs)

Men’s Wellness Package (Foundation)

Men’s Wellness Package (+40yrs)

Arthritis Package

Athletes Total Wellness Package

Diabetes Monitoring Package

Diabetes Screening Package

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel Package

Comprehensive Weight Loss Package

Liver & Pancreas Package

Long COVID Package

HIV Monitoring Package

HIV Screening Package

Iron Deficiency & Anaemia Package

Menopause Package

Women’s Fertility Test Package

Men’s Fertility Test Package

STI Screening Package

Thyroid Screening Package

Rapid Typhoid Test

Drive Through

Laboratory Typhoid Test

Home

Drive-Thru COVID Tests

Rapid COVID-19 Antigen/infection testing

(R250 with a R50 pensioners discount!)

Drive-Thru COVID-19 PCR Testing

(R500)

Home based COVID-19 PCR Testing

(R1150 + travel over 50kms)

Rapid COVID-19 Antibody Tests

On Sale! (R150)

Express International Flight Testing

(PCR Flight certificate in 12hrs)

(R850)

Cape Town Only

Extra Express International Flight Testing

(PCR Flight certificate in 4-5hrs)

(R2000)

Cape Town Only

International Flight Testing Package

(PCR + Antiviral Mask)

(R1000)

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