COVID Rapid Test in Kathmandu
Same Day turnaround at Peoples Diagnostics Laboratory & Clinic, Sanobharang. Walk in 7AM–8PM, or pre-book via WhatsApp.
About this test
The COVID Rapid test looks for proteins (antigens) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus directly in a swab taken from the back of the nose, giving a result on the same day rather than the next morning. It is the quickest way to answer a simple, urgent question: are you carrying enough virus right now to be infectious to others? Because of this, doctors most often order it when a respiratory illness needs a fast decision — a child with fever and cough before returning to school, a household contact of a confirmed case, a patient about to be admitted or to undergo surgery, or a traveller who needs same-day clearance. Symptoms that prompt the test include sore throat, dry cough, fever, body aches, headache, loss of smell or taste, and breathlessness, though many infected people have only mild cold-like complaints. The rapid antigen format performs best in the first few days of symptoms, when viral load peaks; a positive result is reliable and means you should isolate, but a negative result late in the illness or in someone without symptoms does not fully exclude infection, so your doctor may confirm with a PCR test if suspicion remains high. In Kathmandu, where dense indoor living and seasonal viral surges allow respiratory infections to spread quickly, this test is interpreted alongside your symptom timeline, exposure history, and sometimes a chest examination or oxygen-saturation reading. It does not measure past infection or vaccine response — antibody testing is used for that.
Sample type
Nasopharyngeal swab
Preparation
No fasting needed. Avoid eating, drinking, smoking, brushing your teeth, or using nasal sprays for about 30 minutes before the swab. Tell us the day your symptoms began and whether you have a known exposure or upcoming travel.
Turnaround time
Reports for COVID Rapid are typically ready within: Same Day. Reports can be collected at the clinic during opening hours or shared via WhatsApp once they are ready.
Also known as
Other immunology tests we run
These are routinely ordered alongside COVID Rapid or as part of the same diagnostic workup.
How to book
WhatsApp is the fastest way — message us with the test name and your preferred time, and we'll confirm a slot the same day. You can also walk into the clinic at Rumba Chowk, Sanobharang any day between 7AM and 8PM, or fill in our online booking form.
Not sure if this is the right test?
Send us a WhatsApp message describing your symptoms or your doctor's recommendation — we'll confirm which test fits best.