Are European laboratories ready to detect COVID-19?
A first assessment looking at the preparedness of EU/EEA laboratories to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) demonstrates a fast implementation of molecular diagnostics by the European specialised laboratory networks. It also shows a good geographical coverage for testing.
In January 2020, a survey among laboratories to assess the capacity and quality for SARS-CoV-2 (previously 2019-nCoV) diagnostics as well as implementation barriers was conducted. The data provided by 47 laboratories in 30 EU/EEA countries were taken into account in a study released by Eurosurveillance.
The laboratories were asked to indicate their weekly capacity for molecular testing for SARS-CoV-2. Of the 47 participating laboratories, 38 indicated a capacity of minimum 8 275 tests per week.
At the time of the survey, an additional eight laboratories were in the process of implementing molecular diagnostics and these laboratories would, all combined, add a minimum capacity of 875 tests per week once this process would be complete.
Furthermore, the survey indicated a great willingness of laboratories to provide international diagnostic support and to share sequences to contribute to the monitoring of virus evolution and trace transmission chains.
The main challenges for test implementation were an initial lack of positive control, lack of personnel/time and a lack of primers and/or probes.
Read the full assessment
Laboratory readiness and response for novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in expert laboratories in 30 EU/EEA countries, January 2020
A first assessment looking at the preparedness of EU/EEA laboratories to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) demonstrates a fast implementation of molecular diagnostics by the European specialised laboratory networks. It also shows a good geographical coverage for testing.
Latest updates
Further reading
Surveillance and monitoring
Communicable disease threats report, 10-16 January 2026, week 3
This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 10-16 January 2026 and includes updates on respiratory virus epidemiology in the EU/EEA, measles, mpox, and Marburg virus disease.
Surveillance and monitoring
Communicable disease threats report, 3-9 January 2026, week 2
This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 3-9 January 2026 and includes updates on respiratory virus epidemiology, cholera, Marburg virus, Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), avian influenza, and swine influenza.
Surveillance and monitoring
Communicable disease threats report, 13-19 December 2025, week 51
This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 13-19 December 2025 and includes updates on respiratory virus epidemiology, SARS-CoV-2 variants, mpox, leprosy, Marburg virus disease, dengue, and chikungunya.
Surveillance and monitoring
Preparedness of public health laboratories for respiratory infectious diseases – EU/EEA country perspectives on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic
The purpose of this study was to provide evidence on how to help public health laboratories be better prepared and more resilient to future public health challenges related to respiratory infectious diseases.
Surveillance and monitoring
Communicable disease threats report, 6-12 December 2025, week 50
This issue of the ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (CDTR) covers the period 6-12 December 2025 and includes updates on respiratory virus epidemiology in the EU/EEA, measles, Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV), West Nile virus, and Marburg virus disease (MVD).