CDC posts new SOP for Viral Transport Media, Updates Biosafety FAQs

FDA FAQs on Diagnostic Testing for SARS-CoV-2

On March 10, 2020, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) on Diagnostic Testing for SARS-CoV-2external icon. This LOCS message is to raise awareness about these FDA FAQs among clinical laboratories that could potentially be asked to perform testing.

Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines for Handling and Processing Specimens Associated with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

On March 13, 2020, CDC updated the Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines for Handling and Processing Specimens Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) page on the Information for Laboratories website. 

Updated Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

This LOCS message is to inform clinical laboratories that perform testing for SARS-CoV-2 (the agent of coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19])with the CDC Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) COVID-19 real-time PCR assay, CDC recommends collecting only the upper respiratory nasopharyngeal (NP) swab. Collection of an oropharyngeal (OP) specimen is a lower priority, and, if collected, should be combined in the same tube as the NP swab.