One of the main challenges in slowing down the spread of the coronavirus pandemic has been the lack of adequate testing facilities and trained medical staff to carry out the lab testing of the virus.
That problem may soon be mitigated, thanks to a global initiative that is preparing a massive rollout of COVID-19 tests that show on-the-spot results in 15 to 30 minutes, potentially saving many thousands of lives by enabling the expansion of testing, particularly in areas without adequate testing facilities.
As part of the effort, more than 120 million affordable rapid antigen tests from South Korean company SD Biosensor and US company Abbott will be supplied to low- and middle-income countries, where testing has been most difficult.
Wealthier nations will also be able to order the WHO-approved tests, potentially using them for screening in schools, universities, and workplaces, thus enabling them to identify carriers of the virus before they have symptoms.
The tests, which are similar to a pregnancy test, with two blue lines displayed for positive, cost less than $5 each and reportedly have a 97 percent accuracy in optimal conditions, being able to pick up most infections.
The roll-out of these rapid antigen tests in both poor and rich countries represents a landmark victory in our global efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
