Germany donates some 75,000 antigen tests to Peru

The German government on Tuesday donated more than 75,000 quick antigen tests to Peru in an effort to help stop the spread of COVID-19 among Indigenous populations. German Ambassador to Peru handed some tests to Peru's Minister of Health during a ceremony. The tests delivered are in addition to a first batch of 54,000 tests that were donated at the end of last year, with an approximate total value of 1.4 million US dollars.

These tests will be distributed through Indigenous organizations and the governments of Ucayali, San Martin, Tumbes, Lambayeque, Lima and Callao. Currently, only 32% of native communities in the Andean nation have a health center and PCR tests are insufficient for those who live in rural and remote areas, due to a lack of access laboratories, resulting in days of delay. Peru is among the top 10 countries with the most reported cases and second in the region after Brazil. The early detection of COVID-19 cases to control the spread of the disease is one of the most effective strategies, in addition to vaccines.