29 Sep

The World Health Organization says it will deliver 120 million rapid diagnostic tests for the coronavirus to low- and middle-income countries.

Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in Geneva on Monday that the WHO and its partners reached an agreement on the provision of the antigen-based tests.

US and South Korean firms developed two types of tests, each priced at up to five dollars.

The tests are said to provide reliable results in approximately 15 to 30 minutes. 

Unlike PCR tests, they can be easily administered in areas that lack trained health workers.

Tedros said, "The quicker COVID-19 can be diagnosed, the quicker action can be taken to treat and isolate those with the virus and trace their contacts."

The tests will be delivered to 133 countries in Africa, South America and other areas, where weak testing systems have been blamed for the spread of infections and rise in severe cases.

NHK