Increasing diagnostic testing

Many countries are experiencing shortages in diagnostic testing kits, as the development, production and distribution remain critical challenges that impede early detection and access to care. There are also reports of significant backlogs, in some cases taking over a week to provide results. Further efforts are needed in the development and scaling up of rapid (real-time) diagnostic tests.

The Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), a WHO Collaborating Centre for Laboratory Strengthening and Diagnostic Technology Evaluation, has curated a list of the current Diagnostic Pipeline, while the U.S. FDA has now issued Emergency Use Authorizations to at least three COVID-19 rapid diagnostic tests over the last week, including:

• Cepheid Xpert Xpress SARS-Cov-2 Test (45min)
• Mesa Biotech Accula SARS-Cov-2 Test (30min)
• Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 Rapid Test (5-15min)