Africa accelerates self-testing for COVID-19

The African Union Joint Continental Strategy for COVID-19 endorsed by Africa Health Ministers and the Bureau of Heads of State and Governments of the African Union (AU) aim to implement well-coordinated actions and strong partnerships to strengthen the effectiveness of COVID-19 response across Africa. To continue to combat COVID-19 in 2022, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will focus its efforts to supporting member states in four priority areas: scale-up of vaccination; advance COVID-19 rapid antigen Self-Testing; ensure access to COVID-19 treatment; and promote public health and social measures. The AU/ Africa CDC recommends the implementation of COVID-19 Ag self-testing in AU Member States as an adjunct strategy to improve access to COVID-19 testing. Africa CDC working through the continental laboratory technical working group will publish an interim guideline on the use of COVID-19 Ag self-testing very soon.