The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new network for coronaviruses, CoViNet, to facilitate and coordinate global expertise and capacities for early and accurate detection, monitoring and assessment of SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV and novel coronaviruses of public health importance.

• CoViNet expands on the WHO Covid-19 reference laboratory network established during the early days of the pandemic. 
• Initially, the lab network was focused on SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, but will now address a broader range of coronaviruses, including MERS-CoV and potential new coronaviruses.
• CoViNet is a network of global laboratories with expertise in human, animal and environmental coronavirus surveillance.
• The network currently includes 36 laboratories from 21 countries in all 6 WHO regions.