Panama carries out mass testing as coronavirus spread

Panama on Monday rolled out rapid coronavirus tests following a recent jump in national daily cases.

Health workers visited homes in the populous community of Nuevo Tocumen on the eastern outskirts of Panama City, one of the most affected areas in the country.

Authorities targeted families who have reported one of their members being sick, as well as from those who have presented symptoms or have had contact with a positive case.

"These are the first rapid tests we are starting to apply today massively at a national level," said the director of the Metropolitan health region, Isaías Cedeño.

The rapid tests were brought in from Europe and China, and have been tested and verified by the Gorgas Memorial Institute, the country's leading scientific research center, with results available within 48 hours.

Panama is the Central American country with the highest number of cases of coronavirus and deaths, with more than 7,000 cases still active and 448 deaths reported to date.

Authorities said the number of cases have increased in recent weeks because more tests are being done.

(Representative Image)