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New COVID-19 Test to Give Results in Minutes

A new test that can detect COVID-19 in minutes will dramatically expand the capacity to detect cases in low- and middle-income countries was announced by The World Health Organization.

The 5-dollar test can change the tracking of COVID-19 in many less wealthy countries, which have shortages of healthcare workers and laboratories, was reported by BBC News on Monday.

120 million tests will be provided over six months after a deal with the manufacturers.

It is a major milestone the WHO’s head told.

Due to the long gaps between taking a test and waiting to receive the results have damaged many countries different efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus.

Some experts have said that low testing rates are hiding the true spread of the outbreak in some countries with high infection rates including India and Mexico.

On Monday TedrosAdhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director-General told in a news conference that, instead of hours or days the new highly portable and easy to used Covid test kit will provide the result in 15-30 minutes.

Tedros explained that Drugs manufacturers SD Biosensor and Abbott have agreed with the charitable Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to produce 120 million of the tests.

Including many countries in Latin America which is currently the region’s hardest-hit by the pandemic in terms of death and infection rates, The deal covers 133 countries.

“This is a vital addition to their testing capacity and especially important in areas of high transmission,” Tedros added.

“This will enable the expansion of testing, particularly in hard-to-reach areas that do not have laboratory facilities or enough trained health workers to carry out tests,” he said.

The tests which are developed by SD Biosensor and Abbott are highly portable, reliable and easy to use. Which makes the testing possible without the need of visiting laboratories. The tests by both of the companies are cheaper and faster than laboratory-based tests. Which will expand the countries pace of testing, tracing and treating people for COVID-19.

 

 

source: with input from ians