Expert consensus-based laboratory testing of SARS-CoV-2

J Thorac Dis 2020;12(8):4378-4390 | http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/jtd-20-1928 At the end of December 2019, Wuhan reported a number of cases of unidentified pneumonia whose pathogen was later identified as a novel coronavirus, by DNA sequencing. As of 8 a.m. on May 6, 2020, novel coronavirus infections have been reported in 214 countries and regions worldwide, posing a huge threat to global public health. China has taken a series of prompt measures of prevention and control while providing medical services, which effectively contained the epidemic domestically. Rapid and accurate laboratory testing plays a crucial role in the etiological diagnosis of COVID-19. In order to improve the understanding of laboratory testing methods for COVID-19 and summarize the cumulative knowledge on the subject, the Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology organized experts in the field of clinical virology diagnosis and treatment (including virology, clinical laboratory, clinical medicine, and preventive medicine), summarized the research progress and experience of novel coronavirus laboratory testing technologies, both locally and abroad, and developed a consensus-based report for novel coronavirus testing. This report covers the aspects of etiology, nucleic acid testing, serological screening, biosafety, and containment in relation to the novel coronavirus and suggests some possible problems that may be encountered in actual testing.