Researchers in Ghana
have developed a rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kit for COVID-19 as part of
efforts to aid quicker diagnosis.
The scientists at
the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and Incas
Diagnostics, both of which are based in Kumasi, are now optimising the
new-found kit for COVID-19 testing.
Daniel Norris Bekoe,
KNUST’s public relations officer, in a statement to local media outlets on
Monday, said the new RDT kit comes as part of efforts to contain the spread of
the virus while deepening Ghana’s self-reliance.
He said the
technology uses a finger-prick to obtain blood samples towards detecting two
different types of antibodies usually produced when the immune system is
fighting off COVID-19 — seven days after being infected.
In Ghana and across
many countries, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing method, which
detects parts of the viral genome very early in infection and takes at least 48
hours to obtain results, is largely still being used.
Although the
researchers described the current method as being impressive, they expressed
concern that it could delay contact tracing and other efforts in the fight
against the virus due to how long it takes to obtain test results.
The experts, whose
work was also aided by the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR),
explained that PCR tests are unable to identify people who have been infected
but later recovered, unlike their new-found RDT kit.
According to Bekoe,
the kit would allow decentralised tests to be carried out anywhere within 15 to
20 minutes and enable people anxious to know their COVID-19 status to do so in
record time ahead of decision making.
“A key use of this
RDT would be for mass testing to identify all those who have been exposed to
the virus and thus provide key data for efforts to model the course of the
pandemic and also, enhance contact tracing efforts,” he said.
“By indicating how
much of the population is already likely immune because of mild infections,
antibody data can offer a key to how fast the virus will continue to spread.
“Another key
application would be to identify frontline health workers who have been
infected and developed likely immunity to the virus. They would then be able to
return to work early and treat patients safely.”
Ghana’s new-found
RDT kit comes after President Nana Akufo-Addo had unveiled the country’s plans
to build a total of 90 hospitals within one year in the wake of the current
global health crisis.
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