The latest coronavirus 2019-nCoV is diagnosed with RT-PCR which detects the amount of viral RNA in a patient’s blood, serum and/or sputum.
It goes without saying that the used (q)PCR equipment has to function properly. To assure proper operation (q)PCR cyclers need to be calibrated traceable to international standards regularly.
ISO requirement
Even though the metrological traceable temperature calibration is an ISO required norm for medical and test labs, not all of them adhere to the rules. But as a potential patient you don’t want to spend two weeks in isolation if you’re not sick and you don’t want to be send home when you’re seriously ill.
We therefore advocate that all labs calibrate conform the norm and auditors assess accordingly.
Better be safe than sorry.
