The African Union (AU) has started an ambitious initiative to increase testing for coronavirus across the continent.
The aim is to take the total number of tests done up to 10 million over the next two to three months.
To date, more than 160,000 cases have been confirmed in Africa with 4,600 deaths.
But experts fear many cases could be going undetected because of low testing rates, which are some of the lowest globally.
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention says about 2.4 million tests have been conducted so far.
But they now want to reach three times as many people again in the coming weeks, meaning almost 1% of people in Africa would have been tested.
That would give a clearer picture of the pandemic in Africa.
Testing was hampered, in part, by a global shortage of diagnostic kits.
But a new continental pool by the AU will now give each African country equal access to the supplies.
The plan also includes training 100,000 front-line healthcare workers and deploying about a million others to communities to help trace contacts of patients.
Latest Stories
-
Takoradi traders lament over low sales ahead of Easter
49 mins -
Michael Ampadu: One Student, One Tablet initiative will shape the future of education and innovation
60 mins -
I will partner you for development – Alan tells TUC
1 hour -
Malnutrition, anemia remain concern to UNICEF
1 hour -
Kasoa shrinking penis: Court remands Electrician over false alarm
2 hours -
‘I look forward to working closely with President-elect Faye to enhance Ghanaian-Senegalese relations’ – Akufo-Addo
2 hours -
Girl, 8, only survivor as 45 killed in bus crash in South Africa
3 hours -
Biden to host star-studded NYC fundraiser with Obama and Clinton
3 hours -
GDNR, AAU and others launch Universal Acceptance for local languages in internet domain names
4 hours -
Ogum and Kotoko’s March malaise
5 hours -
BushGang Zee releases new afro dancehall anthem “Accra Stay By Plan”
6 hours -
2 repair vessels dispatched for undersea cable repairs – says NCA’s latest update
6 hours -
Multimedia Group Limited’s Clinton Yeboah shortlisted for 2 International Sports Press Association Awards
6 hours -
Supreme Court upholds High Court verdict on fraudulent sale of property by Senior Police Officer
6 hours -
NHIS Biometric Membership Authentication System limited rollout satisfactory – NHIA Deputy CEO
7 hours