S. Africa scales up COVID-19 testing amid rising caseload

CAPE TOWN -- South Africa on Wednesday launched dozens of mobile sampling and testing units for COVID-19, in a bid to scale up the capacity of testing as more cases were reported nationwide.

The National Health Laboratory has purchased 60 mobile sampling and testing units to be deployed nationwide, by which medical workers will go out to test citizens for COVID-19, said Health Minister Zweli Mkhize.

The move came as 27 new COVID-19 cases were reported on Wednesday, bringing the total to 1,380, with five deaths.

As part of the massive testing project announced late last month by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the upcoming test is expected to involve the 10 laboratories across the country, and increase the testing capacity to 5,000 tests per day, beginning next week, according to Mkhize.

Although no new death was reported on Wednesday, Mkhize said the current situation may be just "the calm before the storm," and since the country's testing plan has been "reactive" so far, "we may not have a full picture of the extent of the spread of the virus."

He added that more cases would be reported as the test is carried out.

Mkhize said there has been a "slower increase" in positive cases, mainly due to the closure of borders, the enforced quarantine of travelers, and the 21-day national lockdown starting on March 26.