The challenges of COVID-19 testing in Africa: the Ethiopian experience
Andargachew Mulu, Amsalu Bekele, Alemseged Abdissa, Taye Tolera Balcha, Meseret Habtamu, Adane Mihret, Dawit Hailu Alemayehu, Getachew Tesfaye Beyene, Abebe Genetu Bayih
Abstract
Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is spreading rapidly and creating a huge economic, social and public health challenge worldwide. Although currently an effective vaccine is ready, its distribution is limited, and hence the only currently available lever to reduce transmission is to identify and isolate individuals who are contagious. Thus, testing for SARS CoV-2 has a paramount importance. However, testing in many African countries including Ethiopia has multidimensional growing challenges. Here, we tried to identify, categorize and summarize the challenges of COVID-19 testing in Africa from Ethiopian experience.