RE: WHO Order21 Apr 2020 23:54
While antibody tests are important for knowing who has been infected, tests that find the virus are a core tool for active case finding, diagnosis, isolation and treatment.
One of WHO’s priorities is to work with partners to increase the production and equitable distribution of diagnostics to the countries that need them most.
To achieve that, WHO has worked with FIND, the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative, to identify and validate five tests that can be manufactured in large quantities.
Working together with the Global Fund, UNICEF and Unitaid, we have now placed orders for 30 million tests over the next four months.
The first shipments of these tests will begin next week, through the United Nations Supply Chain we have established with the World Food Programme and other partners.