Background: Specific diagnostic tests to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and resulting COVID-19 disease are not always available
and take time to obtain results. Routine laboratory markers such as white blood cell count,
measures of anticoagulation, C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin, are used to
assess the clinical status of a patient. These laboratory tests may be useful for the triage of
people with potential COVID-19 to prioritize them for different levels of treatment,
especially in situations where time and resources are limited.