Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been additional variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 identified in California. While there is much to be learned about these variants, evidence continues to grow that virus mutations can affect transmission, diagnostics, therapeutics, clinical outcome, and immune escape. There is growing concern that certain variants may be responsible for more severe disease as well there is concern for potential vaccine escape, thus increasing the chance for post-vaccination infection.
As capacity for whole genome sequencing (WGS) increases, CDPH is putting out a call to all healthcare providers in the state to submit respiratory specimens for WGS and serum specimens to measure antibody response from hospitalized COVD-19 patients. Please review the attached guidance for additional information.
Please contact your local public health laboratory for submittal instructions[1]. For additional questions or questions pertaining to submission of serum specimens, please contact CDPH VRDL at VRDL.Mail@cdph.ca.gov or 510-310-8585.
Sincerely,
Original signed by Cassie Dunham
Cassie Dunham
Acting Deputy Director
Resources
[1] For local health jurisdictions recommending specimen submission directly to VRDL, providers should review the VRDL specimen shipping guidelines webpage and complete a General Purpose Specimen Submittal Form (PDF)