06/09/2021 (Agence Europe) – The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) announced on Friday 3 September that it had granted more than €77 million in assistance to 24 countries in the EU and the European Economic Area to ensure “early detection and enhanced monitoring” of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. The funds will be used specifically for projects starting by October and ending in September 2022 to strengthen the sequencing infrastructure (see EUROPE 12713/14) and the infrastructure required for RT-PCR testing. An investment that the institution’s director, Andrea Ammon, believes should also help improve surveillance of other infectious diseases. Ninety percent of the cost of these projects will be covered by the ECDC, with the remaining 10% paid by the Member States. Finally, the funds will be distributed in proportion to the needs of each participant. (AC)