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FDA/WHO/CDC: The Latest on the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues an emergency use authorization (EUA) for qualified U.S. laboratories to use the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC is offering interim guidance for laboratory professionals working with clinical specimens from patients under investigation. CDC officials consider the immediate risk here in the US to still be low; however, risk is dependent on exposure (e.g., health care workers caring for patients with Covid-19 and other close contacts are likely to be at greater risk).

The number of deaths from Covid-19 has surpassed 1,800 according to Chinese officials. News reports indicate the number of new infections in China outside the epidemics “hotspot” has fallen for the eighth day in a row, even though the total number of deaths reaches new highs.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak meets the criteria for a “Public Health Emergency International Concern.” Representatives from the (WHO) are now on the ground in China. The US State Department issued an updated “Level 4: Do Not Travel” guidance to China, requesting all nonessential US government personnel defer travel to the country. The guidance for prevention of any coronavirus is the same as those outlined for seasonal flu.