American Medical Centers in Ukraine have two types of tests for Covid-19 infection available. Firstly a PCR test, which matches a patient’s genetic material with that of the virus. The test is taken either from a blood sample or from a swab from the back of the nose, the blood sample being the more accurate form of testing, providing about 98% accuracy.
A PCR test will begin to show active infection from 24-48 hours from the start of viral infection until the virus is removed from the body after maybe 2 weeks or more. It will not show those who have had the infection, but will show those who are actively infected (even if they have no symptoms).
To determine if an individual is free from active infection, they should observe strict self-quarantine and social distancing for 48 hours before the test and during the 2 days that the test takes to process. The EU is currently discussing the need to have a PCR test done 72 hours before travel.
The second test is an antibody test that will show if an individual has had an infection. It is less accurate than the PCR test and its accuracy is about 80%. The antibodies will begin to show after about 2 weeks and will increase over the next two or three months. It is useful for an individual to confirm they have had the infection but to be more accurate I would suggest that they are re-tested in a further 2 weeks. The result is available within a few hours.
American Medical Centers has carefully selected both PCR and antibody testing from the most reliable sources with high accuracy rates and these tests are available to individuals or groups. Tests come with a certificate in both English and Ukrainian language that has so far been acceptable to those that require it.