The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which began in December 2019, is still ongoing in Korea, with >9,000 confirmed cases as of March 25, 2020. COVID-19 is a severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, and real-time reverse transcription-PCR is currently the most reliable diagnostic method for COVID-19 around the world. Korean Society for Laboratory Medicine and the Korea Centers for Disease Prevention and Control propose guidelines for diagnosing COVID-19 in clinical laboratories in Korea. These guidelines are based on other related domestic and international guidelines, as well as expert opinions and include the selection of test subjects, selection of specimens, diagnostic methods, interpretation of test results, and biosafety.

Gyu Ri Kim, Ph.D., Eun-Young Kim, Ph.D., Si Hyun Kim, Ph.D., Hae Kyung Lee, M.D., Jaehyeon Lee, M.D., Jong Hee Shin, M.D., Young Ree Kim, M.D., Sae Am Song, M.D., Joseph Jeong, M.D., Young Uh, M.D., Yu Kyung Kim, M.D., Dongeun Yong, M.D., Hyun Soo Kim, M.D., Sunjoo Kim, M.D., Young Ah Kim, M.D., Kyeong Seob Shin, M.D., Seok Hoon Jeong, M.D., Namhee Ryoo, M.D., and Jeong Hwan Shin, M.D.. Ann Lab Med 2023;43:45-54. https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2023.43.1.45

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Heungsup Sung, M.D., Kyoung Ho Roh, M.D., Ki Ho Hong, M.D., Moon-Woo Seong, M.D., Namhee Ryoo , M.D., Hyun Soo Kim, M.D., Jaehyeon Lee, M.D., So Yeon Kim, M.D., Sookwon Yoo, M.D., Mi-Na Kim, M.D., Myung Guk Han, D.V.M., Sang Won Lee, Ph.D., Hyukmin Lee, M.D., and Cheon Kwon Yoo, Ph.D.; on behalf of COVID-19 Diagnosis Test Management Committee established by Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ann Lab Med 2020;40:439-47. https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2020.40.6.439

Ki Ho Hong , M.D., Gab Jung Kim , Ph.D., Kyoung Ho Roh , M.D., Heungsup Sung , M.D., Jaehyeon Lee , M.D., So Yeon Kim , M.D., Taek Soo Kim , M.D., Jae-Sun Park , Ph.D., Hee Jae Huh , M.D., Younhee Park , M.D., Jae-Seok Kim , M.D., Hyun Soo Kim , M.D., Moon-Woo Seong , M.D., Nam Hee Ryoo , M.D., Sang Hoon Song , M.D., Hyukmin Lee , M.D., Gye Cheol Kwon , M.D., and Cheon Kwon Yoo , Ph.D.. Ann Lab Med 2022;42:391-7. https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2022.42.4.391

Yu Jeong Choi, M.D., Young Ah Kim, M.D., Kim Junglim, B.D., Seok Hoon Jeong, M.D., Jong Hee Shin, M.D., Kyeong Seob Shin, M.D., Jeong Hwan Shin, M.D., Young Ree Kim, M.D., Hyun Soo Kim, M.D., Young Uh, M.D., and Nam Hee Ryoo, M.D.. Ann Lab Med 2023;43:196-9. https://doi.org/10.3343/alm.2023.43.2.196