ADB approves $2m grant to help Armenia fight against Covid-19

ADB approves $2m grant to help Armenia fight against Covid-19

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $2 million grant from its Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund (APDRF) to support Armenia in its fight against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, the bank said in a statement Monday, August 17.

The grant, which is financed by the Government of Japan, will be used to upgrade laboratory diagnostic and testing capacity. The funds will also help finance the purchase of urgently needed medical equipment and supplies to improve treatment capacity including in critical care units.

“ADB is fully committed to helping Armenia through this difficult period. This assistance will help to meet the needs for appropriate medical services and supplies where required, and is in line with the government’s national response plan,” said ADB Country Director for Armenia Paolo Spantigati. “We will continue to work closely with the government and other development partners to combat the impacts of Covid-19 pandemic.”

The Government of Armenia declared a state of emergency on March 16 and implemented a range of measures to restrict the spread of the disease, including quarantine measures.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Armenia grew by 145 to reach 41,846 on Tuesday, August 18. So far, 34,982 people have recovered, 832 have died from the coronavirus in the country, while 245 others carrying the virus have died from other causes.

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