Some 120 million rapid tests for COVID-19 will be made available to poorer countries at $5 each, the World Health Organization announced Monday - if it can find the money.
Some 120 million rapid tests for COVID-19 will be made available to poorer countries at $5 each, the World Health Organization announced Monday - if it can find the money.
Last week, the WHO issued the first emergency-use listing for a quality, antigen-based rapid diagnostic test , with others expected to follow. "This will enable the expansion of testing, particularly in hard-to-reach areas that do not have lab facilities or enough trained health workers to carry out PCR tests."
"Although they are a bit less accurate, they're much faster, cheaper and don't require a lab," said Mr Sands.READ MOREMr Sands said that currently, high-income countries were conducting 292 tests per day per 100,000 people; upper-middle-income countries 77; lower-middle-income countries, 61; and low-income countries, 14.
The 120 million tests reflect 20 per cent of the firms' manufacturing capacity. The other 80 percent remain available for procurement.
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