Lydia Mosi
African Academy of Sciences Affiliates, Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana; West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Diseases, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
Augustina Angelina Sylverken
African Academy of Sciences Affiliates, Nairobi, Kenya; Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, Kumasi, Ghana; Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Kolapo Oyebola
African Academy of Sciences Affiliates, Nairobi, Kenya; Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria; Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Kingsley Badu
African Academy of Sciences Affiliates, Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Natisha Dukhi
African Academy of Sciences Affiliates, Nairobi, Kenya; Human and Social Capabilities Division, Human Sciences Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
Nowsheen Goonoo
African Academy of Sciences Affiliates, Nairobi, Kenya; Biomaterials, Drug Delivery and Nanotechnology Unit, Center for Biomedical and Biomaterials Research (CBBR), University of Mauritius, MSIRI Building, 80837 Reduit, Mauritius
Priscilla Kolibea Mante
African Academy of Sciences Affiliates, Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Pharmacology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
Julien Zahouli
African Academy of Sciences Affiliates, Nairobi, Kenya; Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d´Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d´Ivoire
Ebenezer Forkuo Amankwaa
African Academy of Sciences Affiliates, Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Geography and Resource Development, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Mai Fathy Tolba
African Academy of Sciences Affiliates, Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt; The Center of Drug Discovery Research and Development, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Adeniyi Francis Fagbamigbe
African Academy of Sciences Affiliates, Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Dziedzom Komi de Souza
African Academy of Sciences Affiliates, Nairobi, Kenya; Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Damaris Matoke-Muhia
African Academy of Sciences Affiliates, Nairobi, Kenya; Centre for Biotechnology Research and Development, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by SARS-CoV-2 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. As of 21st April 2021, the disease had affected more than 143 million people with more than 3 million deaths worldwide. Urgent effective strategies are required to control the scourge of the pandemic. Rapid sample collection and effective testing of appropriate specimens from patients meeting the suspect case definition for COVID-19 is a priority for clinical management and outbreak control. The WHO recommends that suspected cases be screened for SARS-CoV-2 virus with nucleic acid amplification tests such as real-time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR). Other COVID-19 screening techniques such as serological and antigen tests have been developed and are currently being used for testing at ports of entry and for general surveillance of population exposure in some countries. However, there are limited testing options, equipment, and trained personnel in many African countries. Previously, positive patients have been screened more than twice to determine viral clearance prior to discharge after treatment. In a new policy directive, the WHO now recommends direct discharge after treatment of all positive cases without repeated testing. In this review, we discuss COVID-19 testing capacity, various diagnostic methods, test accuracy, as well as logistical challenges in Africa with respect to the WHO early discharge policy.
