Special EQA announcement related to COVID-19 / novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2:
QCMD 2020 Coronavirus Outbreak Preparedness EQA Pilot Study is open for registration
Randox Laboratories & QCMD are pleased to announce a pilot EQA scheme for coronaviruses which will include inactivated coronavirus SARS-CoV-2
Background
A pneumonia of unknown origin detected in Wuhan, China was first reported to the WHO on 31 December 2019. The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (previously known as 2019-nCoV) had been detected as the causative agent for the new respiratory disease named COVID-19, with fever followed by cough, dyspnoea, myalgia, and fatigue as the most commonly reported clinical symptoms in hospitalised patients. A median incubation period from five to six days is estimated, with a range of 2 – 14 days. In about 80% of cases the infection causes mild to moderate symptoms with or without pneumonia, from which most cases recover. However, 14% of patients develop severe disease and 6% require intensive medical care due to critical illness. The Elderly and individuals with underlying chronic medical conditions have a significantly higher risk for severe disease and fatal outcome.
Since the first reported cases in China, the number of incidences has increased dramatically and ongoing clusters have rapidly appeared in several geographic regions. Therefore, the COVID-19 outbreak has been declared as Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the WHO on 30 January 2020. The implementation of protocols for COVID-19 laboratory testing, diagnosis, surveillance and treatment are paramount for preparedness and response to the current epidemic.
Several commercial and in-house molecular assays detecting SARS-CoV-2 have been established or are currently under development. Some assays may detect only the novel coronavirus and some may also detect other strains that are genetically similar. In addition, the WHO provides an overview of available protocols: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/laboratory-guidance
Reliable laboratory testing is an essential part of the COVID-19 clinical management and outbreak control. There is an urgent need for external quality assessment (EQA) schemes to allow diagnostic laboratories to evaluate their own diagnostic methods. The QCMD 2020 Coronavirus Outbreak Preparedness EQA Pilot Study (CVOP20) will offer laboratories, that have recently set up specific molecular diagnostics, the opportunity to assess the performance of their assays against international peer groups.
Panel Composition
The CVOP20 panel will consist of six whole pathogen panel members which should be analysed by molecular diagnostic techniques for SARS-CoV-2 or other human coronaviruses. Panel members containing
SARS-CoV-2 are inactivated and not infectious. The quality assessment will focus on specificity and sensitivity to current clinically relevant coronaviruses.
All participants will receive a ‘real-time’ rapid report on submission of results, followed by a full EQA report with individual performance assessment and peer group assessment on completion of the study.
Registration is NOW open
To register and for full programme details, please contact your local Randox representative who will be able to assist with any queries.
Please note: although this panel contains inactivated material it is important that each individual laboratory is aware of local regulations regarding importation and testing of the viral targets included in this panel.
If you need any further information on the QCMD Coronavirus Outbreak Preparedness EQA Pilot Study, please contact us via marketing@randox.com
Further COVID-19 Resources
World Health Organization (WHO): https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC): https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus-china
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html