Coronavirus disease 2019—Lessons learned für die Mikrobiologie und Labormedizin

Abstract

Resources for the rapid and comprehensive availability of reliable diagnostic tests were an important prerequisite for the detection and management of the pandemic triggered by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The capacity for the diagnostic tests had to be rapidly planned and established in early 2020 and had to be constantly expanded. The German healthcare system with dedicated and experienced specialists for laboratory medicine, clinical microbiology, virology and infection epidemiology was well prepared to meet these challenges, both professionally and organizationally. The experiences with the challenges in the first year of the pandemic are presented in this article.