Coronavirus: KCCR re-strategising to expand testing capacity

-

The Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) says it is re-strategising to expand testing capacity due to increased samples of Covid-19.

With a current capacity of 800 a day, up from an initial 100, the institution receives over 2,000 samples a day.

Scientific Director, Professor Richard Odame Philips, says the centre has had to prioritise testing for those at the hospitals as a result.

“We try to prioritise so that those that really need them urgently get it. So as much as possible, we try that within 48 hours the tests are ready,” he said.

But “we are receiving a lot of samples now, sometimes 2,800 samples in a day, but we can do about 800 tests.

“We started with below 100, then we moved to testing between 300 and 500, and now we are at 800, but we are thinking of how to take it higher because people need it (test results) quicker.

“So every day we are re-strategising and rethinking how we approach it. We thank God that we are able to provide this service,” he said.

Before Ghana’s case count began to hit the hundreds, KCCR was testing and releasing results of maximum 100 samples between six and 12 hours.

Officials say due to the current pressure caused by increased numbers, results are now ready within 48 hours.

The centre is, therefore, increasing capacity to do 800 or more per day, with special attention to persons at the hospitals.

“When we started it was a team of two and it went to 22, now everyone at KCCR and everybody is involved, people are coming to work when ordinarily they are supposed to stay home.

“Previously 5:pm this door is locked but now it stays open throughout till the morning,” he said.

He continued that the pressure on them has now increased which demands that they push further to meet it.

“People say the results are not coming quicker, previously within six hours 12 hours, you have your results.

“But there is a lot of pressure because, everybody wants his or her results the next day whether the person is well or sick.

“Those who are sick, for me, there have to be a priority for them, the person is waiting at KATH and the result is needed to make a decision and you are well and you are home.

“We had a little guesthouse behind which was closed down but because of COVID-19, it has been renovated, we have reopened it because we had to accommodate some of the staff because they work throughout the night,” he said.

He expressed worry about fake news, especially, on social media.

He observed that such misinformation has pushed many people to report to hospital with symptoms unrelated to Covid-19.