U.S. Donates Fastest, Most Reliable COVID-19 Test Machine to Bulgaria

"Our donation of a state-of-the-art COVID-19 diagnostic machine to Bulgaria will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 with accurate and quick testing. This donation demonstrates our commitment to the long-term U.S.-Bulgaria partnership." ~ Ambassador Herro Mustafa

U.S. Embassy Sofia is pleased to announce that the United States Government has donated funds to purchase for Bulgaria a COVID-19 testing kit through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Bulgaria, an IAEA Member State since 1957, requested a test kit through an IAEA project. The United States responded by providing the funding to purchase the fastest, most reliable COVID-19 testing machine..

National testing is crucial in containing the COVID-19 outbreak. The United States purchased for Bulgaria a diagnostic testing machine that utilizes the most sensitive technique for detecting viruses currently available. The machine employs a nuclear-derived technique to rapidly detect the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The technique is known as real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (real time RT-PCR).

Real time RT-PCR detects the presence of specific genetic material from any pathogen, including a virus—which makes it possible to identify the SARS-CoV2 virus within hours.  RT-PCR is one of the most reliable and fastest testing methods for the coronavirus. The United States is proud to support this important peaceful use of nuclear technology to combat the global challenge of diagnosing and containing COVID-19.

In addition to the RT-PCR machine, Bulgaria will receive COVID-19 diagnostic kits and training, biosafety supplies such as personal protection equipment, primers, probes, and laboratory cabinets for the safe analysis of collected samples....