By Stuart Bogere

KIU, Main Campus - Health scientists in Uganda are expected to launch locally developed rapid kits for COVID-19 screening.

This was revealed by Dr. Misaki Wayengera, a Lead Developer and a Researcher who also developed the testing kits for Ebola, said that the rapid antibody tests and screening will commence today, 17th March 2021.

He added that the new COVID-19 kits were approved by the National Drug Authority and that it passed the World Health Organisation specifications.

According Dr. Wayengera, the kits are expected to give results in five minutes. When asked about the price of the kits, Dr. Wayengera said the cost will be around $1 (approximately Shs4,000) per kit.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health flagged off a nationwide population-based survey for COVID-19 yesterday, the third of its kind, to assess the prevalence of the infections.

Health Minister, Hon. Jane Ruth Aceng said the study will focus on 5,100 households to determine the risk factors for severe disease, and define the rates of asymptomatic and symptomatic infection in the population.