The World Health Organization will test more people around the world for COVID-19. According to the WHO, they will give rapid COVID-19 tests to people in lower and middle-income countries worldwide.
The WHO’s Rapid COVID-19 Tests
CNN reports that the WHO’s tests show results after 15 to 30 minutes, instead of days. The tests would be cheaper, too. Moreover, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO’s director-general, said they plan to give 120 million test kits to low and middle-income countries.
Ghebreyesus added Monday that these additional tests would expand testing in countries without labs. Countries that lack health workers would also benefit from the 120 million kits.
Who Will Get the WHO’s Test Kits?
In the same report, CNN says that several countries have already made the first orders. Starting in October, around 20 African nations should get the tests. However, Peter Sands said that these WHO tests are not magic solutions. They only complement existing PCR tests.
Sands said that the WHO tests are less accurate, but they are faster and cheaper. They also do not need a lab. Rapid tests should give countries a hand in stopping the spread of COVID-19.
What Are the WHO’s COVID-19 Tests?
According to CNN, several countries already use the PCR test to determine whether a person has COVID-19. The PCR test is also the most accurate. However, PCR tests need costly instruments and trained lab technicians. The lack of instruments and lab workers has meant a dramatic lack of testing worldwide.