FDA FAQs and interim guidelines for COVID-10 specimen collection and handling

COLA is engaged with the CDC’s Laboratory Outreach Communication System (LOCS) in the Division of Laboratory Systems (DLS) to transmit their public health messages to our laboratories and affiliates. Below are links to the most recent messages.

• Information about the new CDC standard operating procedure (SOP) for creating Viral Transport Media (VTM) is athttps://www.cdc.gov/csels/dls/locs/2020/new_sop_for_creating_vtm.html.

• The CDC recommendation for laboratories to discontinue the use of A549/MV1LU Mix for Respiratory Viral Culture Panels, updated biosafety guidelines, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) are at https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dls/locs/2020/review-updated-biosafety-faqs.html.