False: WHO has recommended the use of a COVID-19 test kit manufactured by just one company in the world.

By: Varun Kumar
January 10 2022

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The World Health Organization has approved different COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test kits manufactured by various companies.The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes. On September 23, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) published an Emergency Use Listing for Invitro diagnostics (IVDs) Detecting SARS-CoV-2. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO has authorized a variety of Rapid Antigen Tests kits designed by multiple companies to curb the virus. The list includes top companies like SD Biosensor, Inc, Shanghai Fosun Long March Medical Science Co., Ltd, Roche Molecular Systems, Inc, and Thermo Fisher Scientific. The public can be assured these tests have met the required scientific standards for emergency use authorization. WHO also published a press release in September 2020, which talked about global partnerships with various governments and medical organizations to help develop and provide rapid tests to low and middle-income countries. These partnerships with organizations like Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), the Global Fund, and Unitaid helped develop and distribute around 120 million affordable rapid tests. This initiative is supposed to ensure all countries, regardless of income, have fair access to new tests and tools to fight COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19, including symptoms, prevention, and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organization or your national healthcare authority.