The 1st WHO reference laboratory network for SARS-CoV-2 (the “WHO SARS-CoV-2 Reference Laboratory Network”) was established in January 2020, with the initial objective to provide confirmatory testing to countries with no or little testing capacity for SARS-CoV-2. Since then, the needs for SARS-CoV-2 have evolved and monitoring the evolution of the virus, spread of variants and assessing the impact of variants on public health remains essential. After several years of the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO has decided to broaden and revise the scope, objectives and terms of reference and establish a new ‘WHO Coronavirus Network” (CoViNet) with enhanced epidemiological and laboratory capacities including: (i) expertise in animal health and environmental surveillance; (ii) other coronaviruses, including MERS-CoV; and (iii) the identification of novel coronaviruses that could negatively affect human health. 

The core objectives of CoViNet are: 

1. early and accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV and novel coronaviruses of public health importance;
2. surveillance and monitoring of the global circulation and evolution of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and novel coronaviruses of public health importance recognizing the need for a “One Health” approach;
3. timely risk assessment for SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV and novel coronaviruses of public health importance, to inform WHO policy related to a range of public health and medical countermeasures;and
4. support for capacity building of laboratories relevant to the needs of WHO and CoViNet, particularly those in low- and middle-income countries, for SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV and novel coronaviruses of public health importance.

Data generated and synthesized through the network will support WHO decision making underpinned by our Technical Advisory Groups on Viral Evolution (TAG-VE) and Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC). 

The current status of the reference laboratory component of the network is described in the figure below. New labs with expertise in animal health and environmental and wastewater pathogen surveillance have been added. The national-level presence of CoViNet will continue to be leveraged through expanded GISRS and the adoption of an integrated respiratory pathogen surveillance approach.

WHO convened the 1st Coronavirus Network (CoViNet) meeting on 26-27 March 2024 in Geneva, to discuss how to achieve the overall goal and specific objectives of the network.

WHO Coronavirus Network (CoViNet)

World Health Organization
20 Avenue Appia
1211 Geneva
Switzerland 
Email: covinet@who.int