Laboratory Biosafety Issues Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019

Abstract

Indroduction

The outbreak of Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia SARS-CoV-2 has necessitated the reinforcement of infection control measures in the hospital and laboratory setting. Contact and droplet infection control measures are advised for handling patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and airborne precautions for procedures that generate aerosols.

Pre-ananalytical Phase

Risk assessment is conducted for all steps of laboratory processes viz. preanalytical, analytical and postanalytical. Standard Precautions must be followed at all times when laboratory staff handle clinical specimens that may contain infectious microorganism. Standard precautions must include hand hygiene along with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). All samples are collected in appropriate containers and all containers are decontaminated by 62-71% ethanol (alcohol) before transporting them to the laboratory in triple packaging.

Analytical Phase

All samples should undergo initial processing in a biosafety cabinet (BSC). It should be ensured while undertaking all technical procedures that there is minimal formation of aerosols and droplets.

Post-analytical Phase

All biomedical waste should be disposed as per state and national guidelines. Decontamination includes use of 1% sodium hypochlorite, 62-71% ethanol for surface disinfection or Hydrogen peroxide (0.5%).

Conclusion

These laboratory biosafety measures are important to minimise the risk of laboratory transmission of COVID-19 to health care workers.

Keywords

Biosafety - coronavirus disease 2019 - laboratory - personal protective equipment

Publication History

Received: 20 April 2020

Accepted: 21 June 2020

Article published online:
17 May 2021

• References

• 1 Zhu N, Zhang D, Wang W, Li X, Yang B, Song J. et al. A novel coronavirus from patients with 243 pneumonia in China, 2019. N Engl J Med 2020; 382: 727-33
• 2 https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novelcoronavirus-2019/events-as-they-happen Available from: 3. [Last accessed on 2020 Apr 14]
• 3 WHO Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for COVID-19. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novelcoronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/infection-prevention-andcontrol Available from: [Last accessed on 2020 Apr 14]
• 4 Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/controlrecommendations.html Available from: 5. [Last accessed on 2020 Apr 15]
• 5 Infection Prevention and Control for COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings. https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/infection-prevention-and-control-covid-19healthcare-settings Available from: [Last accessed on 2020 Apr 15]
• 6 Section 1: Introduction. In: Chosewood C, Deborah E. editors Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories. 5th ed. HHS Publication No. (CDC) 21-1112 2009: 1
• 7 Zhu N, Zhang D, Wang W, Li X, Yang B, Song J. et al. A novel coronavirus from patients with 243 pneumonia in China, 2019. N Engl J Med 2020; 382: 727-33
• 8 WHO/CDS/EPR/2007.2 Guidance on Regulations for the Transport of Infectious Substances. 2007
• 9 http://file:///C:/Users/admin/Downloads/WHOWPE-GIH-2020.2-eng.pdf.10 Available from: [Last accessed on 2020 Apr 16]
• 10 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/lab-biosafety-guidelines.html Available from: [Last accessed on 2020 Apr 15]
• 11 World Health Organisation. Laboratory Biosafety Guidance Related to Coronavirus Disease (COVD-19): Interim Guidance. 2020; 2