Important Test Updates Coronavirus (COVID-19)

By Deirdre Fidler | March 16 2020

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a newly identified coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 (2019 Novel Coronavirus). Michigan Medicine, in coordination with state and local health departments, is closely monitoring developments in this rapidly evolving situation and will offer guidance as it becomes available.

 

Michigan Medicine patients:

Questions regarding patient management and testing should be directed to Infection Prevention and Epidemiology (IPE).  Resources and guidance are available at their COVID-19 website:

http://www.med.umich.edu/i/ice/resources/coronavirus.html

MLabs patients:

Specimens from patients suspected of having COVID-19 should not be sent to MLabs for SARS-CoV-2 testing at this time.  Please direct questions regarding testing to your local health department; the number for Washtenaw County is 734-544-6700.  If you are unable to reach your local health department, please call the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Communicable Disease (CD) Division at: 517-335-8165 during business hours, or at: 517-335-9030 after-hours and on holidays.

MLabs offers a Respiratory Pathogen Panel by PCR (order code RPAN) testing which is typically required as part of MDHHS SARS-CoV-2 risk assessment criteria. The Respiratory Pathogen Panel by PCR does not test for SARS-CoV-2.

Collection Instructions for RPAN:  Use a flocked swab, dacron or rayon swab to obtain a nasopharyngeal specimen and place into M4-RT transport medium. Refrigerate.

Additional information regarding Coronavirus disease is available at the following websites: