The US Embassy to Georgia says that the Lugar Center, which was constructed with U.S. government funding and is owned and operated by the Georgian government, was established to identify and address disease outbreaks just like COVID-19.

“The Lugar Center, which was constructed with U.S. government funding and is owned and operated by the Georgian government, was established to identify and address disease outbreaks just like COVID-19. We are gratified that more Georgians are learning about the important work that is being performed there; we look forward to continuing that work and continuing to build the cooperation between the United States and Georgia in addressing emerging and endemic infectious disease threats in the region,” the US Embassy said.