Charles Teves
Nearly half of Senegal’s population lives under the poverty line, but this nation has one of the lowest COVID-19 related deaths in the entire world.
Senegal is trending today, surprising billions due to the efforts made by health experts in the country.
Everyone is getting tested, whether they exhibit symptoms or are asymptomatic, which many countries are not capable of. Testing kits are available all the time mainly due to its price, which is only at $1 a kit.
These kits were originally designed for dengue fever, and are able to detect COVID-19 in less than 10 minutes.
Dr. Amadou Sall, who came up with the idea says Senegal is looking to produce more of these kits for other countries to use.
https://twitter.com/lewisnzira/status/1255527427410886656
“There is no need for a highly-equipped lab. It is a simple test that can be done anywhere. The idea is to produce 2 to 4 million kits, not just for us but for African countries.”
Those that are sick are given chloroquine, but is not advised by the FDA. This drug is mainly used for malaria, which is a disease common in African countries.
This is why SENEGAL is trending incase you are wondering… pic.twitter.com/OWCw2HSsd3
— Fatima Yerima Askira (@Fatiskira) April 26, 2020
Although there is a shortage of ventilator machines, 3D printing is being utilized to produce more. The ventilators cost about $60, compared to imported ones that go for $16,000.
Senegal’s success in dealing with the outbreak can be attributed to its past experiences with previous viruses, which helped the people prepare for COVID-19. Aside from having relatively fewer cases, Senegal also has the highest recovery rate in the continent.
Covid-19 Daily Report: Some preliminary data visualization for #Senegal…
Stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives…A.G pic.twitter.com/1VxT3PFReZ
— Amadou Gueye Physika (@APhysika) April 29, 2020
Similary, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KIMRI) has started manufacturing its own kits that can detect the virus in under 15 minutes.
The Food and Drug Administration (USA) announced on April 27 that the first home COVID-19 testing kits have just been approved. During the White House coronavirus task force briefing, Dr. Stephen Hahn also saw the approval of 63 other types of tests aimed to increase and diversify the number of diagnostic and serologic (antibody) testing.
“Many other tests are becoming available, we have heard and have reported to us 220 labs around the country have begun patient testing using their own validated tests,” said Dr. Hahn.
Even before Senegal declared a state of emergency on March 23, the country already had imposed travel restrictions, banned cruise ships, and closed schools for three weeks because of the coronavirus.
