Armenia to acquire coronavirus laboratory tests from China

Armenia will soon acquire the laboratory test for revealing coronavirus, Health Minister Arsen Torosyan said at a news conference today.

“We have already stated about the issues we have regarding medical tests and in general all have this issue as it is a new disease and the test is under development,” the minister said, adding that an arrangement has been reached with a Chinese manufacturer for acquiring the tests.

“Our embassy will acquire these tests in a few hours and send it to Armenia for us to use it if necessary,” Torosyan said, adding that the testing methods are used only when clinical symptoms of the disease come forth.

So far, he said, there hasn’t been any suspected case in Armenia among arriving travelers.

Those who had fever or other flu-like symptoms turned out to have simple respiratory infections or illnesses.

“We may state with 99,9% certainty that we don’t have any case registered in Armenia as of now,” he said.

He also added that the commission set with the decree of the Prime Minister to fight against coronavirus convened its session to discuss the issue of restricting the entrance of citizens of China to Armenia. He said the decision will be made in 1-2 days and the Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will come up with corresponding statement.