Coronavirus testing to begin in Georgian regions
178 individuals who have tested negative for the virus still remain under quarantine throughout Georgia, while 51 are being observed by medics. Photo: eptalaboratories.com.
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Georgia’s National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported earlier today that in addition to Tbilisi, the regional branches of the Lugar Laboratories located in Georgia’s black sea town of Batumi and Western city of Kutaisi will be able to diagnose the new China-born coronavirus – Covid-19.
So far tests for coronavirus have been carried out only at the Lugar Laboratory in Tbilisi.
Marina Ezugbaia, the medical director of the Tbilisi Infectious Disease Hospital, said that there are no cases of domestic spread of coronavirus – Covid-19 in Georgia for now, which means that all the confirmed cases have been spread by other infected individuals who returned back from the high-risk zone countries.
Out of the total 15 patients who got infected in Iran, 12 travelled in Italy or had contact with those who returned from Italy, while one came from Spain but had contact with Italians”, said Ezugbaia.
The virus which appeared first in the city of Wuhan of China at the end of 2019, comes with high fever, followed by dry cough and shortness of breath.
178 individuals who have tested negative for the virus still remain under quarantine throughout Georgia, while 51 are being observed by medics.
Georgia confirmed its first case of the virus at the end of February.
The government of Georgia has recommended public institutions avoid overseas business trips except in cases of extreme necessity in order to prevent the further spread of covid-19.
Georgia has suspended direct flights with Italy in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in the country, announces the government of Georgia. Coronavirus in Georgia has mostly been detected in passengers who have travelled in Italy recently. The government of Georgia has issued certain restrictions for both Georgian and foreign citizens entering the country.
All three international airports of Georgia are taking preventive safety measures against the spread of the coronavirus.
Georgia has evacuated 156 citizens from Italy today via a charter flight by Georgian Airways as the Italian government has placed the entire country under lockdown. After thermal screening, the passengers will be placed in quarantine for 14 days.
The US Embassy to Georgia says it is happy to see more Georgians are learning about the important work of the Lugar Lab in Tbilisi, which was constructed with the funds allocated by the US government.