As Omicron 🦠 continues to spread rapidly throughout the region, our testing capacity will be limited for some time.
Since January of 2021, our Strategic Fund has purchased more than 22 million COVID tests, including PCR and Rapid Diagnostic tests, on behalf of our countries 🌎, and we expect our orders will ramp up this year.
➡️ Countries can and should take advantage of these agreements by purchasing diagnostic tests via our Strategic Fund.
PAHO has also established long term agreements with two of the WHO-approved manufacturers of COVID diagnostic tests so that we can secure tests for our region 🌎 at a fraction of the price.
In the last few weeks, we have sent tests to quickly increase ⬆️ capacity in Bolivia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Kitts and Nevis.
We have deployed 📦 10 million PCR diagnostic tests and 2.8 million rapid diagnostic tests from our stockpile in Panama to countries in need.
PAHO is doing everything it can to support countries. Since the COVID-19 emergency 🚨 began, we have acquired more than 42 million PCR and rapid antigen tests for 36 countries through the PAHO Strategic Fund.
Individuals who are asymptomatic and have been, or think they have been, exposed to COVID should be advised to quarantine when possible, and follow effective public health measures like social distancing, mask wearing and avoiding large gatherings to prevent getting others sick.
Because we are facing a testing shortage, PAHO recommends that countries prioritize rapid antigen tests for individuals who are experiencing COVID symptoms and are at risk of spreading the virus 🦠
We urge countries to expand testing at the community level to relieve the pressure on hospitals 🏥, which are working overtime.
