The Continued Importance Of Testing For The COVID-19 Virus
By Ms Krupali Shah, Technical Director, Revital Healthcare EPZ Ltd and Ms Catherine Wanjiru, Project Associate at AHB
Many African countries have struggled to test in sufficient numbers to control the COVID-19 pandemic – primarily testing travellers and patients. Therefore, a large number of cases are not accounted for. Africa, home to nearly 20% of the world’s population or 1.3bn people, has tested 43mn people since the start of the pandemic.
As the continent witnesses new spikes in COVID-19 cases and deaths, with rapid testing, authorities can stay a step ahead by scaling up active case finding in challenging environments, such as urban neighbourhoods and rural communities. Testing is a key first line of defence against COVID-19 as it allows for the isolation of cases to slow transmission and enhances provision of targeted care to those infected while continuing with other vital healthcare services. Testing is also key to the successful delivery of COVID-19 vaccines.
To limit further spread of COVID-19, AU member states must expand diagnostic capacity – with a focus on convenient, efficient, and affordable testing. On Thursday 29th April, AHB in partnership with LumiraDx hosted a session on “Testing Still Matters” during which experts zoomed into all matters related to diagnostics and testing. Key expert speakers from the continent discussed the status and prospects for COVID-19 testing in Africa.
To limit further spread of COVID-19, AU member states must expand diagnostic capacity – with a focus on convenient, efficient, and affordable testing. On Thursday 29th April, AHB in partnership with LumiraDx hosted a session on “Testing Still Matters” during which experts zoomed into all matters related to diagnostics and testing. Key expert speakers from the continent discussed the status and prospects for COVID-19 testing in Africa.
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