COVID-19 Response Efforts of Washington State Public Health Laboratory: Lessons Learned.
Am J Public Health
; 111(5): 867-875, 2021 05.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1140586
ABSTRACT
Laboratory diagnostics play an essential role in pandemic preparedness. In January 2020, the first US case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Washington State. At the same time, the Washington State Public Health Laboratory (WA PHL) was in the process of building upon and initiating innovative preparedness activities to strengthen laboratory testing capabilities, operations, and logistics. The response efforts of WA PHL, in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to the COVID-19 outbreak in Washington are described herein-from the initial detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 through the subsequent 2 months.Factors that contributed to an effective laboratory response are described, including preparing early to establish testing capacity, instituting dynamic workforce solutions, advancing information management systems, refining laboratory operations, and leveraging laboratory partnerships. We also report on the challenges faced, successful steps taken, and lessons learned by WA PHL to respond to COVID-19.The actions taken by WA PHL to mount an effective public health response may be useful for US laboratories as they continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and may help inform current and future laboratory pandemic preparedness activities.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Organizational Objectives
/
Public Health
/
Program Development
/
COVID-19 Testing
/
COVID-19
/
Laboratories
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Observational study
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
North America
Language:
English
Journal:
Am J Public Health
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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