For information on the coronavirus situation in Singapore, please visit the Ministry of Health website.
29 December 2021
We will start accepting Deep Throat Saliva (DTS) samples for Pre-Departure Testing from 12 January 2022 using Lucence’s SAFER saliva kit.
Please continue using the existing COVIDAIR test code, ordering and packing instructions as stated in the attached summary chart. Specimen collection procedure is included in the attached Shipping Instructions sheet.
In order to avoid sample rejection, please ensure that all steps are completed – including the addition of the stabilization fluid into the saliva sample after the collection of the patient’s saliva sample – before sending the sample to the laboratory for processing.
Do ensure that patients do not consume any food and drink, brush their teeth, use mouthwash, smoke, at least 1 hour prior to collecting the sample.
Please check the travel advisories of your patients’ destination countries to ensure that the countries accept COVID-19 saliva pre-departure test results.
As we continue to support Singapore’s efforts to re-open the economy and liberalise COVID-19 testing, we will be making available an express testing service starting from 29 December 2021. We have also revised the prices of our COVID-19 PCR Tests since 15 November 2021.
Please consult your respective account managers for further discussions and enquiries about the new pricing schedule.
As we continue to support Singapore’s efforts to re-open the economy and liberalise testing, we have commenced a new rapid COVID-19 PCR testing service available to patients only at the inpatient wards, and A&E Departments of our IHH Singapore hospitals, namely, Gleneagles Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital and Parkway East Hospital.
Please refer to the table below for more details:
Test Name:
SARS- CoV-2 LIAT PCR
How Patients Can Get Tested:
For non-warded patients, please send your patients to the A&E Departments at Gleneagles Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital or Parkway East Hospital.
Turnaround Time:
Within 2 hours
* while it is a rapid test, thehourlycapacity is limitedhence there could be periods when there is a queue for samples received during the same period. The samples will be processed on a first come first serve basis.
Price:
Patients to enquire at the respective wards and A&E Departments
Test Schedule:
Daily (Mon – Sun)
Methodology:
Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction
We wish to inform you that we will be offering the cPassTM SARS-CoV-2 Neutralising Antibody Test as an inhouse test starting from 3 January 2022.
3 December 2021
Internal tests conducted by our SARS-COV-2 PCR test manufacturers have shown that the tests are able to detect the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529).
Find out more: Alliance Biomed Cepheid Roche
12 April 2021
In our earlier memo dated 11 March 2021 we announced the availability of our new SARS-CoV-2 antibodies test (ACOV2S). We wish to inform you that the GenScript cPassTM SARS-CoV-2 test is now available as a send out test to A*Star’s DxD Hub Laboratory.
11 March 2021
With effect from 9 March 2021, Parkway Laboratory Services will perform the Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S test (test code: ACOV2S). This is the test for antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These antibodies are directed against the viral spike protein which enables the virus to bind to the host cell receptor cell. The quantitative measure of these antibodies correlates closely with potential immunity and will assist clinicians in determining patient’s antibody titre post vaccination or post infection.
12 May 2021 Update: The Elecsys Anti‑SARS‑CoV‑2 S assay shows good agreement with direct and surrogate virus neutralization assays. 5 February 2021
We are collaborating with Accredify to provide complimentary digital health certificates for pre-departure testing from 10 February 2021.
The collaboration will enable you to issue digital health certificates for any COVID-related tests (e.g. COVID PCR/Serology) performed by Parkway Laboratory Services from 10 February 2021.
We have worked with Accredify to bring about new features in their portal to make it easier for clinics, namely, a user interface to update patient’s details and provide the ability to issue the memo via mobile phone text messaging in addition to emailing the patient.
Please consult your respective account managers for further details.
With effect from 8 February 2021, we are revising the prices for our PCR swab tests for the following test codes as we continue to support Singapore’s efforts to re-open the economy and liberalise the testing: COVID19GEN and COVIDAIR only.
Please consult your respective account managers for further discussions and enquiries about the new pricing schedule, the revision to the indications and order notes to be provided for those cases that are funded by MOH and other details and arrangements for sending COVID samples to PLS.
5 November 2020
Parkway Laboratory Services currently offers the SARS-CoV-2 total antibody test.
We understand that new guidance has been provided by the Chinese Embassy for passengers departing for China that they need to have an IgM antibody test to be included in addition to the prevailing SARS-CoV-2 PCR test.
In order to meet your patient’s requirements for pre-departure testing, with effect from 6 November 2020, we will:
With effect from 6 November 2020, we are revising the prices for our PCR swab test (applicable to COVID19GEN and COVIDAIR only)
4 August 2020
The Ministry of Health (MOH) invited Parkway Laboratory Services (PLS) to provide SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing for travellers who require pre-departure testing under the current approved green lane travel channels. These tests will come under the governance of the “Swab and Send Home (SASH)” programme for General Practitioners (GPs) with effect from 1 August 2020.
Travellers MUST fulfill at least one of the following conditions:
All other travellers are not permitted. COVID-19 pre-flight swab tests are available at selected SASH Public Health Preparedness Clinics (PHPCs). Find out more about this programme, make an application for an approval letter for Pre-departure COVID-19 PCR test, or search for a list of clinics providing this service.
25 June 2020
The Ministry of Health has expanded the Swab-and-Send-Home (SASH) criteria to enhance active case finding to include all persons with acute respiratory infection (ARI) aged 13 and above from 1 July 2020. The enhanced SASH criteria will include the following groups of persons presenting with symptoms of acute respiratory infection of any duration, with or without fever:
GPs: Please contact the AIC GP helpline at +65 6632 1199 or email gp@aic.sg for any enquiries regarding the SASH programme. Patients: Please click here to find your nearest SASH clinic. 27 March 2020
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has granted permission to Parkway Laboratory Services (PLS) to extend SARS-CoV-2 testing for COVID-19 beyond inpatient care at licensed private hospitals to the primary care community under the governance of the “Swab and Send Home (SASH)” programme for General Practitioners (GPs).
Under the SASH programme, MOH’s prevailing clinical criteria for swabbing are:
*Persons with ARI with (i) travel to areas of heightened vigilance, (ii) been to any hospital abroad or (iii) had close contact with a case of COVID-19 infection. MOH has stated some examples where testing is not warranted and strongly prohibited:
The criteria for swabbing is subject to change as the COVID-19 situation evolves and we shall take guidance from MOH.
GPs may contact the AIC GP helpline at +65 6632 1199 or email gp@aic.sg for any enquiries regarding the SASH programme. 3 March 2020
Parkway Laboratory Services (PLS) has worked expeditiously in partnership with MOH and ASTAR’s DxD Hub to implement the SARS-CoV-2 test in house starting 3 March 2020. We are the first private laboratory to begin this test and its use in the initial phase will be restricted to support in-patient care at licensed private hospitals.
We are bound by licensing requirements from MOH to adhere to the following conditions for COVID-19 testing which is for: