FW: APHL Lab Alert #145

July 27, 2021 | Laboratory Alert #145
 
Dear Public Health Laboratory Directors, 
    
The purpose of this message is to provide an update on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response. Please share this message with your appropriate virology testing staff. 
   
This laboratory alert contains the following:  

• CDC Update on the COVID-19 Pandemic and Delta Variant
• Updated NS3 Guidance and Forms
• CDC TOAST SARS-CoV-2 Sequencing Office Hours Series

CDC Update on the COVID-19 Pandemic and Delta Variant
 Today, July 27, 2021, CDC shared key messages and talking points for partners regarding the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2. Access the full partner packet of information.

Updated NS3 Guidance and Forms
 On July 26, 2021, updates were made to the National SARS-CoV-2 Strain Surveillance (NS3) submission guidance and corresponding forms (Global File Accessioning Template and Supplemental Information). The submission guidance now includes information about sequence tagging and clarifies the instructions for the submission of vaccine breakthrough samples. Please download the latest versions of the forms from www.aphl.org/sars2seq or email eoc@aphl.org if you have difficulty accessing the spreadsheet files. Note that the online access to the forms requires an APHLlogin by an institutional member.

CDC TOAST SARS-CoV-2 Sequencing Office Hours Series
 The CDC Technical Outreach and Assistance for States Team (TOAST) is continuing to hold virtual office hours from 2:00–3:00 pm ET every Friday. Bioinformatics Regional Resource and AMD Training Lead colleagues will join TOAST members to answer questions after a brief 10 minute presentation on the topic for the week. Full zoom information is below. Please forward to anyone who may be interested in joining.
 
This week’s topic will be National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS). CDC’s NWSS group will give a brief overview about wastewater sequencing and analysis evaluation plans.
 
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