Setting up a PCR Laboratory for the Detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)

Background: Urgent clinical and public health have the challenge of massive testing for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 to provide the information about individual infection status and patient management. All these efforts are significant for government officials to evaluate the spread of a new disease and trace the contacts of infected persons. Methods: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has heightened the need for healthcare systems to set up new clinical laboratories for the rapid and effective diagnosis of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to prevent further transmission. Results: With regard to the antibody testing, the molecular assay for COVID-19 in proper respiratory specimens becomes an especially important tool in the setting of an acute illness [1,2]. Because of the strong demand for improving molecular testing capability in urgent clinical and public health within a short time, the molecular laboratories (including the mobile cabin PCR laboratories) have sprung up across the world. Conclusions: Though a long way from curbing the pandemic, the appearance of experienced PCR laboratories armed with most sensitive and specific molecular assays will reduce SARS-CoV-2 spread in human population. We believe the article will provide some reference opinions on the forthcoming new PCR laboratories.