Virginia Tech scientists Linda Wang (left) and Carla Finkielstein analyze COVID-19 samples. Photo courtesy Virginia Tech
The state Department of General Services and Virginia Department of Health awarded three Virginia laboratories contracts to participate in the state’s new OneLab Network, aimed to expand the commonwealth’s COVID-19 testing capacity, the departments announced Tuesday.
The OneLab Network, established by DGS’ Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) and VDH, formalizes a coordinated COVID-19 laboratory testing system. Contracts have been awarded to Virginia Tech, University of Virginia Medical Center and Norfolk-based Sentara Healthcare. Labs were selected by geographic location and ability to provide rapid test results in their regions. DCLS serves as the primary laboratory in partnership with the Fairfax County Health Department Lab.
“We have said all along that it will take everyone working together to control the spread of COVID-19, and the OneLab Network does that by bringing together Virginia’s strong public health system with our clinical hospital and university lab partners to provide priority testing across the commonwealth,” Gov. Ralph Northam said in a statement. “We have come a long way in increasing our COVID-19 testing capabilities over the past several months, and the new OneLab Network will help ensure public health has continued access to high-quality testing and prompt results.”
