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COVID-19: 500 thousand quick test kits now in Brazil

Results come back in just 15 minutes
Andreia Verdélio
Published on 31/03/2020 - 10:46
Brasília
Um profissional de saúde realiza um teste finalizado em um local de testes de coronavírus fora dos Serviços Comunitários de Saúde Internacionais no Distrito Internacional de Chinatown durante o surto de doença por coronavírus (COVID-19) em
© REUTERS / Lindsey Wasson/direitos reservados

The first batch with 500 thousand quick test kits for the new coronavirus, bought by mining giant Vale, are now in Brazil. They arrived from China on Monday (Mar. 30), in São Paulo.

Vale acquired 5 million kits for checking the COVID-19 infection. The test, produced by Chinese company Wondfo, is ed with Brazil’s sanitary body Anvisa. It detects antibodies and provides results in just 15 minutes.

The donation, Vale stated, is a way to help the Brazilian government curb the spread of the disease inn in the country. Vale is using its logistic network in Asia to bring supplies to Brazil. The other 4.5 million kits remaining will be delivered by the suppliers to the company over the course of April.

The federal government will be tasked with distribution, with the Infrastructure Ministry charged with ensuring essential air carriers dispatch the material.