02/21/2020: Lab Advisory: Laboratory Biosafety COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
Audience: Clinical Laboratory Professionals
Level: Laboratory Advisory
Laboratory Biosafety COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
Please note the CDC’s COVID-19 Information for Laboratories web page was updated on February 20, 2020. This revision includes a list of Laboratory Biosafety Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for specimen handling, packing, and shipping associated with persons under investigation (PUI) for COVID-19. The main topics discussed in the FAQs include:
- Performing risk assessments to identify and mitigate risks
- Using a certified biological safety cabinet (BSC) for specimen processing and what to do when a BSC is not available
- Understanding the recommended biosafety level for handling clinical specimens
- Using the appropriate disinfectants to decontaminate work surfaces
- Storing specimens
- Handling biohazardous waste
- Transporting specimens within a facility or laboratory
- Following packaging and shipping requirements
For additional information related to the Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines for Handling and Processing Specimens Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), please refer to the CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Laboratory Biosafety website.
The COVID-19 website is regularly updated as CDC learns more about COVID-19 and the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Please check the website routinely to ensure your laboratory staff have the most up-to-date information. Consider asking your web developer or IT team to add CDC’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 Microsite to your website for real-time content updates, including the Information for Laboratories subsite.
Additional Resources:
- CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Laboratory Biosafety
- CDC Information for Laboratories: COVID-19
- CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019
- Register for CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) notifications, including updates about COVID-19. Enter your email address, search for HAN, and sign-up.
- Add CDC’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 Microsite to your website for real-time content updates.
If you have any questions, please contact us at LOCS@cdc.gov.
Laboratory Outreach Communication System | Division of Laboratory Systems (DLS)
Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services (CSELS)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)