VIENNA: The U.N. atomic agency is sending an initial batch of equipment to about 40 countries, including Malaysia, with which they will be able to perform a standard test for the coronavirus involving a technique derived from nuclear science, it said on Wednesday.
The technique, real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/how-is-the-covid-19-virus-detected-using-real-time-rt-pcr, or real time RT-PCR, is commonly used in developed countries to tell whether someone is infected. It detects the coronavirus's RNA, its genetic fingerprint, on a swab sample.
The International Atomic Energy Agency is known for its nuclear inspection work in countries like Iran but it also has a mandate to help countries use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. It has received requests for assistance with coronavirus testing from 90 member states.
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