Coronavirus: Backlog samples to be cleared by Sunday – KCCR

The Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR) has indicated that it will clear all the backlog tests of samples by Sunday, May 3, 2020.

Dr Augustina Sylverken, a virologist at the second prominent Coronavirus testing facility told Joy News the number of test samples keeps increasing each day, therefore the facility has ramped up the numbers of staff to clear the mounting backlogs.

"When this pandemic began, we were just receiving samples in tens, in hundreds; it moved into the two hundreds...to one thousand. So, we also needed to re-strategize: bring in more hands. So now we do day and night. Every time you get into our labs, you will definitely see people testing…” she said.

Dr Sylverken indicted further that the KCCR has to clear about 8000 samples deposited by the Ghana Health Service to reduce to pressure.

She noted that, “In terms of how many we are able to test, we are able to do between 1,000 and 2,500 on a daily basis.”

Ghana’s Coronavirus case count currently stands at 2,074 with 212 recoveries and 17 deaths.