Since the earliest days of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, AACC has offered resources to the global lab community through its science and advocacy initiatives, journals and news publications, and education programs. These resources and more are conveniently available on an open access AACC page, Coronavirus Resources for Labs.
The AACC journals Clinical Chemistry and The Journal of Applied Laboratory Medicine have published at least 22 papers on SARS-CoV-2 testing, and all are conveniently linked from the Coronavirus Resources for Labs page. Three of the most recent explore the clinical validity of one polymerase chain reaction assay and the clinical performance of two serology assays.
AACC also has offered various educational programming on SARS-CoV-2, including webinars, a free course on COVID-19 from AACC Learning Lab, podcasts, and both English and Chinese versions of Pearls of Laboratory Medicine videos on the coronavirus. These materials are just a click away on Coronavirus Resources for Labs.
Coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic in AACC news publications, CLN and CLN Stat is highlighted, along with the association’s extensive efforts to inform and engage policymakers on SARS-CoV-2 testing issues. Since February 28, 2020, AACC has issued a series of comment letters and statements ranging from supporting a program to strengthen the public health workforce and calling for more transparency in emergency use authorizations to urging for more lab access to testing supplies and personal protective equipment and requesting an exemption from CLIA to enable certain lab staff to work off-site during the pandemic.
The association also maintains a resource for healthcare professionals seeking access to clinical laboratory testing services for COVID-19 in a directory of U.S. and non-U.S. labs that offer this testing.
Other resources include a series of videos AACC developed about COVID-19 testing, news releases the association has issued, and news coverage involving AACC during the pandemic. Coronavirus Resources for Labs also links to the SARS-CoV-2 Testing Community, a forum on AACC Artery for clinical laboratorians worldwide—both AACC members and nonmembers who complete a simple, free registration—to share their knowledge, ask questions, and identify resources to deal with SARS-CoV-2 testing needs.
Coronavirus Resources for Labs is continually updated, so check back for the latest lab-related news and information pertaining to SARS-CoV-2.