Finally spoke to someone that also agrees that there is no sense in Nigeria doing more widespread COVID-19 testing. It should continue to be very targeted at people with the highest risk. Conservative estimate for current PCR is $120 per test. Test 1,000 people = N43 million.
We can ill afford that especially when the test itself doesn't tell you by itself who will or will not need ICU. What's more important is the respiratory status of the person. The management of this respiratory status is largely the same whether COVID positive or not.
So the investment should not be in testing people who will largely have mild disease. Instead, educate people especially those at risk of exposure to self-isolate. Do well at triaging people according to respiratory status and then deliver high-quality critical care when needed.
Rapid point of care tests costing <$20 are on the way. We can consider more widespread testing in a decentralized manner at that point. Until then let's cut our agbada according to our ankara.
