The International Atomic Energy Agency is dispatching a first batch of equipment to more than 40 countries to enable them to use a nuclear-derived technique to rapidly detect the coronavirus that causes Covid-19.

The agency said on 1 April 2020 that the emergency assistance is part of its response to requests for support from around 90 member states in controlling an increasing number of infections worldwide. Several countries have announced major funding contributions for the IAEA’s efforts in helping to tackle the pandemic.