Laboratory readiness and response for novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in expert laboratories in 30 EU/EEA countries, January 2020
Chantal Reusken, Eeva Broberg, Bart L. Haagmans, Adam Meijer, Victor M. Corman, Anna Papa, Rémi N. Charrel, Christian Drosten, Marion Koopmans, Katrin Leitmeyer, on behalf of EVD-LabNet and ERLI-Net
Abstract
Timely detection of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection cases is crucial to interrupt the spread of this virus. We assessed the required expertise and capacity for molecular detection of 2019-nCoV in specialised laboratories in 30 European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries. Thirty-eight laboratories in 24 EU/EEA countries had diagnostic tests available by 29 January 2020. A coverage of all EU/EEA countries was expected by mid-February. Availability of primers/probes, positive controls and personnel were main implementation barriers.