The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Featured image via al-fanarmedia.org

Cold and flu symptoms we would have brushed off a few months ago have now become a point of alarm for all of us as the Coronavirus pandemic continues.  Knowing where to get tested for COVID-19 safely, and ensuring these tests are reliable is extremely important to stop the spread of the virus.

Cairo 360 contacted Dr Nancy El Gendy, Head of the Central Department of Laboratories at the Ministry of Health, who advises anyone with flu symptoms, including high fever or a sore throat, not to panic, but practice self-isolation. However, if the symptoms persist, or worsen, El Gendy advises heading to any of the Ministry of Health’s fever hospitals, where a specialist will assess the case and decides if further tests are necessary. A swab sample for PCR test, as well as blood tests, will be taken from the suspected cases and sent to the Central Laboratories for confirmation.

Here’s a list of fever hospitals in Cairo:

Abbaseya Fever Hospital:

1, Ramsis Street Extension, next to Syndicate of Commercial Professions. Phone number: 0223425126.

Helwan Fever Hospital:

11, Farid Sarhan Street. Phone number: 0225561530.

Imbaba Fever Hospital:

Nile Corniche, Imbaba. Phone number: 0233112430.

It takes 12 hours to acquire the results, through the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 mobile application, which is available for IOS and Android.  

If you’re looking for a private lab to do the tests, here’s a list that offer COVID-19 tests in Cairo:

Ain Shams University Specialized Hospital:

Working from 11 am to 1 pm, the hospital offers a COVID-19 package at 4000LE, which includes a medical consultation, a CT scan, plus blood tests. The package excludes a PCR test, which costs 1500LE. For more information, call 0109378175.

Drive-through PCR Testing Sites:

The government has established a drive-through PCR testing site at Ain Shams University Field Hospital. You can book your appointment through the aforementioned mobile application, where you will also get the results. The PCR test is 2000LE. The government is set to establish other sites at the 6th of October University, Future University, and Cairo University.

Also, the American University in Cairo offers the same service for 2000LE to the general public. Currently located between gates 2 and 3 of the New Cairo campus, the site also has an antibodies test for 400LE. The AUC community will have different locations and rates, which will be announced later.

Al Mokhtabar:

Al Mokhtabar offers the PCR test for 3000LE, with results received in 4 days. You can have the test done at home. For more information, call 19014.

Andalusia Hospital:

This Maadi hospital offers PCR test at 6000LE, whose results are received in 3 working days. They also have a package that includes a CT scan, several blood tests, PCR test, as well as doctor and nursing visits, plus medication for 16,000LE. For more information call on 16781.

Ghaly Medical Center:

The medical centre doesn’t offer home visits, but the PCR test is available at 3000LE. Address: 32, Golf Street –– Maadi. Phone number: 0223592593.

The following labs don’t offer PCR tests; however, they do have COVID-19 packages for initial diagnosis:

Alfa Labs:

The lab’s package includes five blood tests at 600LE. The lab also doesn’t have antibody tests on offer. Home visits are available, call 16191.

Saridar Lab:

Saridar Lab’s package, which includes eight blood tests, including CRB, CBC, LDH, ECR, and Dimer, is 951LE. Home visits are not available. Find your nearest branch by calling on 19232.

We will be updating this list as we come across more reliable places to test for Coronavirus.  We hope you all stay safe and healthy.