Figure 1

Preparation of diagnostic laboratories for molecular testing of/on SARS-CoV-2 infections in The Netherlands. Already before the first confirmed Dutch SARS-CoV-2 case (February 27th, 2020), the RIVM and Erasmus MC validated and implemented a SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test designed by German colleagues1. (A) During the benchmark testing phase an increasing number of commercial assays became available and were applied in an expanding range of diagnostic laboratories. The benchmark phase was followed by three External Quality Assessment rounds (EQA1-EQA3). (B) National data on number of persons tested for SARS-Cov-2 and on number of notified cases were obtained from RIVMÂ data36.