Objective:To analyze the staffing and turnaround time（TAT）of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2（SARS-CoV-2）testing in the department of laboratory medicine during the COVID-19 epidemic

to optimize resource allocation

and to improve the capacity of medical staff to respond to the epidemic. Methods:SARS-COV-2 tests were divided into pathogenic nucleic acid tests and IgM/IgG serological tests. The serological tests were subdivided into emergency mode and routine mode. Results:As for pathogenic tests

performed by three-member groups with 12 hour shifts

the mean reporting time was 345 min

and the shortest TAT for a nucleic acid test was 154 min. As for serological tests in the emergency mode

performed by six-member groups with 6-hour shifts

the mean reporting time was 559 min

and the shortest TAT for a test was 116 min; while in the routine mode

performed by two-member groups with 6-hour shifts

the mean reporting time was 295 min

and the shortest TAT for a test was 80 min. Conclusion:The current resource allocation can meet the needs for coping with the current epidemic.