ArmInfo. Production of tests for the detection of coronavirus will be launched in Armenia soon. This is stated on the government page on Facebook.
According to the source, the Scientific Research Institute of Molecular Biology of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia will be producing tests for the detection of coronavirus infection. According to the director of the institute, Arsen Arakelyan, tests will be tested soon, which will be carried out in several stages. <The institute has a special sterile laboratory. Samples are already being produced from the purchased reagents and testing will begin shortly. If everything goes well, then by the end of next week we will begin to produce tests>, Arakelyan emphasized.
The director of the institute also said that about 10-15 people will work in shifts. <At the moment, we have everything we need to produce approximately 100,000 tests. We plan to produce from 1,000 to 2,000-3,000 tests a day>, Arakelyan noted, adding that the production of tests in Armenia will save the funds allocated by the state for purchasing tests from other countries. It should be noted, as Tigran Avinyan, the Commandant for Emergency Situations, reported the raw materials for the production of tests are mainly delivered from China.
It should be noted that in Armenia up to 1,500 people are tested for coronavirus daily in the presence of symptoms of the disease. In its absence, virus testing can be done in a number of private laboratories. The cost of this service is about 25 thousand drams. And despite the fact that the Ministry of Health does not support such a business initiative of the laboratories, this profitable service is in high demand.