Algeria has started producing rapid test kits for the novel coronavirus, with a detection time of 15 minutes and a production capacity of 200,000 units per week, its government announced yesterday.
The Algiers-based laboratory develops the test kits in partnership with Canadian and Jordanian firms, the Junior minister in charge of pharmaceutical production, Lotfi Benbahmed, announced on state television, without naming the two foreign partners.
The North African country has allocated $100 million to import medical equipment and pharmaceutical products to counter the virus. It has also received medical donations from China over the last few days.
The Algerian government has imposed a nationwide curfew, ordered the closure of most businesses and suspended public transport to slow the spread of the virus.
Algeria has so far, reported 5,891 confirmed infections with 507 deaths and 2,841 recoveries.