COVID-19 ECHO Session #33: Testing Strategy for COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Tests


January 24, 2021

On 22 January, 2021 this COVID-19 ECHO session was convened to discuss testing strategies for COVID-19 antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag RDT) and Africa CDC’s testing guidelines and recommendations. The start of 2021 has seen new challenges arise in the COVID-19 pandemic, with rapidly growing spread and new virus variants. To urgently address this, the Africa CDC released guidelines to expand the use of COVID-19 Ag RDT. The aim of the Africa CDC guidelines is to provide member states with recommendations on testing approaches and algorithms to help curb the growing spread of SARS-CoV-2. Many countries are now deploying rapid antigen tests and shifting these assays into more widespread use. The guidelines are much needed at this critical time to support the design of strategies and implementation plans for testing within the health and non-health sectors, and for testing within communities. This session unpacks the guidelines in the context of testing in different settings, and addresses questions around how best to deploy Ag RDT and related tools for more effective epidemic control. Please follow the links posted here to view the recorded video session on ASLM’s YouTube channel, download the Africa CDC guidelines, and download the presentation slides from the session.