By Emmanuel Kehinde, Ilorin
Kwara State has officially been designated a test centre for COVID-19 pandemic by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), according to the chairman of the state’s medical advisory on COVID-19, Dr Femi Oladiji.
Oladiji said in a statement that the NCDC has approved the automated GeneXpert laboratory, which is stationed at the COVID-19/Infectious Diseases Centre Alagbado Ilorin.
Another COVID-19 molecular and research laboratory is proposed at the Harmony Advanced Diagnostic Centre which will utilise reverse transcription and PCR in real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).
“A review to assess the diagnostic accuracy of GeneXpert found that when used as an initial test, it had pooled sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 99% compared to sensitivity of 98% and specificity of 99% for RT-qPCR at standard formats. The GeneXpert tests will let us make quicker decisions about whether to quarantine or isolate individuals who show up with or without potential symptoms related to COVID-19. Hospital management staff will also be able to make rapid decisions about the best way to use resources, such as respiratory equipment,” he said.
