State lab targets 36,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of April
Laboratory service to increase the number of mobile testing sites from four to 20 in the same period
25 March 2020 - 19:46
The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) is rapidly expanding its testing capabilities for Covid-19 and will be able to process 36,000 samples a day by the end of April, it said on Wednesday.
The government laboratory service can currently do up to 5,000 tests a day. Testing is an essential part of the government’s strategy for tackling SA’s Covid-19 outbreak, which has soared to 709 cases in less than three weeks. It is vital for confirming the respiratory disease in patients who are showing symptoms, determining when they are no longer contagious, and for identifying asymptomatic contacts...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.