Responding to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic

​If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please consult your healthcare provider.

The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has become an international public health concern and requires a large public health response, including widespread and timely diagnostic testing​. 

APHL Responds to COVID-19

APHL works to strengthen laboratory systems by representing US state, local and territorial governmental health laboratories—known as public health laboratories—which monitor, detect and respond to health threats. APHL is supporting our member laboratories during the COVID-19 pandemic by assisting with quality testing, reporting, technical assistance and communications. Learn more about APHL's COVID-19 response activities.

Visit the COVID-19 Laboratory and Testing Resources page for more testing-related resources and guidance, such as informatics​ messaging, various protocols and FAQs, and information on federal requirements.​

Improving Pandemic Testing Strategy​

On January 15, 2021 APHL issued a white paper, Smart Testing for Optimizing Pandemic Response, identifying shortcomings in the US response to COVID-19 and outlining four actions to improve the testing situ​ati​on, for both the SARS-CoV-2 virus and for future pandemics. 

Building Laboratory Workforce Capacity 

APHL is advocating for increased funding to better support public health laboratory workforce needs. Learn more about these needs and proposed solutions.

APHL is working with CDC to help laboratories quickly overcome staffing shortages through two short-term workforce programs:

• ​COVID-19 Laboratory Associate Program​: Full-time associates provide workforce capacity to public health laboratories in their response efforts wh​ile developing skills to prepare for careers in public health laboratory science.​

• COVID-19 Genomic Data Sp​ecialist Program: Remote, part-time data specialists are matched with public health laboratories to assist with their genomic data and bioinformatics needs.

APHL has​ also created a recruitment guide for ​bioinformatics scientist positions​ to assist laboratories in the hiring process.

Supporting Informatics and Laboratory Data Reporting

APHL is collaborating with partners to support the reporting of laboratory testing data. Using our AIMS platform, we've developed vocabulary and coding for laboratories to easily generate messages and share data about the virus, and transmit COVID-19 test results to CDC.

Understanding Laboratory Testing Capacity and Capabilities

Beginning April 13, 2020, APHL has conducted a weekly survey of up to 100 state, local and territorial public health laboratories to understand their current and projected capability and capacity to test for SARS-CoV-2. Data from this survey is used to inform HHS, FEMA, CDC and other federal partners to support public health laboratory supply and reagent needs. 

External Communication and Advocacy Efforts

APHL is working closely with federal and other public health partners to help coordinate the national response, and regularly communicating with policy makers, the public and the media about the importance of testing and the role of public health laboratories during the COVID-19 response.

The Role of Public Health Laboratories and Testing in the COVID-19 Response

Public health laboratories have played a​ vital role in the COVID-19 testing response​. Public health laboratories were the only laboratories authorized to conduct testing outside of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention until March 13, 2020.

Despite early challenges​ to testing, at least one public health laboratory in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam is now capable of testing for COVID-19; this includes all state-​level and many local and territorial public health laboratories. These numbers continue to grow as more laboratories complete their testing verification procedures.