SHL ready to test for 2019-ncov (2019 Novel Coronavirus)
If there is a suspect case of novel coronavirus, please first reach out to the Iowa Department of Public Health Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology (CADE), who will work with the healthcare provider and the CDC to determine whether testing is warranted.
IDPH can be reached at 800-362-2736 (business hours) or 515-323-4360 (after hours). After approved for testing by IDPH, specimens will be shipped to the State Hygienic Laboratory.
Specimen collection guidelines are at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/guidelines-clinical-specimens.html. SHL continues to participate in regular conference calls with the CDC and IDPH. We will update you as more information becomes available.
Laboratories should perform a risk assessment for safe handling of specimens. Biosafety guidelines for handing and processing specimens associated with 2019 novel coronavirus can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/lab-biosafety-guidelines.html.
If you have further questions about laboratory testing, contact the State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa at 1-800-421-4692.
