01/29/2020: Lab Advisory: Published Assay Information for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

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CDC's Laboratory Outreach Communication System (LOCS)

Audience: Clinical Laboratory Professionals

Level: Laboratory Advisory

Published Assay Information for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

This message is to ensure that clinical laboratories are aware that CDC has published instructions for use of a “Real-Time RT-PCR Panel for Detection 2019-Novel Coronavirus,” and “2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real-time rRT-PCR Panel Primers and Probes.”

These documents provide information about specimen collection from patients under investigation (PUI) for human infections with 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), as well as specimen handling and storage guidance. These documents describe procedures and/or reagents derived thereof that are intended to be used for the purposes of respiratory virus surveillance and research.

At this time, diagnostic testing for 2019-nCoV can only be conducted at CDC. Clinical laboratories should NOT attempt viral isolation from specimens collected from 2019-nCoV PUIs. Clinical laboratories should contact their state health departments for guidance if they have a suspect specimen.

Find out more about Guidelines for Clinical Specimens from CDC, such as specimen type and collection, and shipping specimens to CDC.

Resources Online

Find on CDC’s 2019 Novel Coronavirus website.

Sign up for CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) notifications, including updates about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. Enter your email address, search for HAN, and sign-up.

If you have any questions, please contact us at LOCS@cdc.gov.

Laboratory Outreach Communication System | Division of Laboratory Systems (DLS)

Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services (CSELS)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

LOCS@cdc.gov

www.cdc.gov/locs