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Laboratory and diagnosis

Name of documentReference to older peopleLast updated
Laboratory biosafety guidance related to coronavirus disease (COVID-19)No specific reference to older people13 May 2020
WHO reference laboratories providing confirmatory testing for COVID-19No specific reference to older people19 Apr 2020
Laboratory assessment tool for laboratories implementing COVID-19 virus testingNo specific reference to older people8 Apr 2020
Guidance for laboratories shipping specimens to WHO reference laboratories that provide confirmatory testing for COVID-19 virusNo specific reference to older people31 Mar 2020
Laboratory testing strategy recommendations for COVID-19: interim guidancePrioritized testing strategies
- Testing in areas with community transmission and in settings where testing capacity cannot meet needs must be prioritized. This prioritization should focus on the early identification and protection of vulnerable patients and health care workers. Focused testing in health care facilities ensures that infection prevention and control measures can be correctly implemented such that vulnerable patients who do not have COVID are protected from nosocomial COVID-19 infection. Testing among vulnerable populations and risk groups will be important for early treatment to minimize progression to severe disease.
21 Mar 2020
Laboratory testing for 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in suspected human casesNo specific reference to older people19 Mar 2020
WHO R&D Blueprint: novel Coronavirus: prospects for evaluating cross-reactivity of nCoV with SARS-CoVNo specific reference to older people27 Jan 2020
Prioritized Laboratory Testing Strategy According to 4Cs Transmission ScenariosPrioritized testing strategies
- In the setting of limited resources in areas with community transmission, prioritization for testing should be given to:
• people who are at risk of developing severe disease and vulnerable populations, who will require hospitalization and advanced care for COVID-19
• the first symptomatic individuals in a closed setting (e.g. schools, long-term living facilities, prisons, hospitals) to quickly identify outbreaks and ensure containment measures.
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