Covid-19 testing still vital even as vaccines roll out: WHO Chief

Testing will still be a critical tool against COVID-19, even as vaccines are deployed against the disease said Tedros Adhanom Gheybreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday.

The WHO chief also emphasized on how testing has been common among countries which have worked to control the virus, during his regular briefing on the crisis, reports UN news.

“As vaccines are rolled out, testing will continue to play a vital role”, he said.

“Initially, health workers, older people and other at-risk groups will be prioritised for vaccination. That will still leave the virus with a lot of room to move, and testing will remain a vital tool for controlling the pandemic.”

However, Tedros stressed that though vital, testing is only part of the strategy against COVID-19. “Testing is the spotlight that shows where the virus is.

Investments in testing must be matched by investments in isolation facilities, clinical care, protecting health workers, contact tracing, cluster investigation and supported quarantine”, he stated.