Cuba is taking significant steps in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 with the creation of a Cuban PCR test, developed by the Immunoassay Center (CIE).
It is being developed with the contributions of the CIE Molecular Biology Laboratory, the Santi Spíritus Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), the Havana CIGB, and the Civil Defense Scientific Research Center.
The diagnostic PCR test is being evaluated by the Institute of Tropical Medicine so that it can be registered with the Center for State Control of Medicines, Equipment and Medical Devices. Subsequently, the test will be made available to the national health system.
Currently, this type of test costs 11 dollars per unit in the international market, so its national production will reduce the costs of containing the pandemic in Cuba, where roughly 25,000 daily PCR tests are required.