FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michelle Forman at 240.485.2793, michelle.forman@aphl.org
David Fouse, 202.262.5417, david.fouse@aphl.org
Silver Spring, MD, January, 31, 2020 — “Today the White House declared the novel coronavirus (2019 nCoV) outbreak a public health emergency. Public health laboratories are a critical component of our public health system and are busy supporting the U.S. response.
“Today’s announcement is an important step and makes available critical resources to enhance our public health response. It allows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to provide an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention so that test kits can be produced and rapidly distributed to public health laboratories.
“Public health laboratories across the country are increasing their readiness by reviewing pandemic preparedness plans, ensuring that necessary equipment and supplies are on hand; scheduling staff to ensure that there is adequate coverage for not only 2019-nCoV but also influenza; coordinating with epidemiologists and clinical labs on rule out testing, specimen referral and results reporting; and in other important ways.
“APHL has stood up our Incident Command System to support our member labs in this response and stands ready to assist our federal, state and local partners in this emergency.”
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The Association of Public Health Laboratories works to strengthen laboratory systems serving the public’s health in the U.S. and globally. Learn more information at www.aphl.org.
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