SARS-CoV-2 is widely spreading throughout the African continent, and with a focus on also acute respiratory disease, ANDEMIA is highly engaged in supporting our African partner countries in responding to the pandemic.

We therefore included SARS-CoV-2 PCR in our routine testing panel for all ANDEMIA patients (co-funded by BMBF through the sub-project ANCOS), implemented mobile sequencing techniques in order to investigate infection chains, and started a pilot serological survey to draw inference on the level of exposure of local populations to the virus.

Adding COVID-19 to the research program of ANDEMIA will aid to close important knowledge gaps in the understanding of COVID-19 disease dynamics and epidemiology, provides a platform for long-term monitoring of COVID-19 pneumonia, and most importantly practically assists in national COVID-19 control efforts, which is of utmost importance.