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The COVID 19 pandemic has infected millions across the world and crippled healthcare systems. With no vaccine available just yet, social distancing measures and lockdowns are being enforced to curb the spread of the virus globally. At the same time, healthcare professionals are working around the clock treating patients who have contracted an infection.
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Looking at Current Biosafety Measures for Coronavirus
The COVID 19 pandemic has infected millions across the world and crippled healthcare systems. With no vaccine available just yet, social distancing measures and lockdowns are being enforced to curb the spread of the virus globally. At the same time, healthcare professionals are working around the clock treating patients who have contracted an infection. This brings to mind an important point – healthcare professionals face constant risks as they come in close contact with the virus on a daily basis.
To help curb the risk posed to healthcare staff, medical systems have certain biosafety measures for coronavirus in place. Let’s take a look at some of these biosafety measures. • Guidance for Laboratories • Guidance for Point-of-Care Testing • Guidance for Waste Management • Guidance for Shipment of Specimen
Guidance for Laboratories Laboratories need to conduct assessments to evaluate the and mitigate risks that can occur while samples are being tested. All laboratories need to ensure they have the latest equipment necessary for conducting tests, train their staff to perform tests efficiently, and evaluate any possible hazards that might arise. Furthermore, all COVID 19 tests are to be performed in a BSL-2 laboratory only. In addition to the above points, laboratories have to follow certain other biosafety measures for coronavirus. These include the use of automated instrumentation, smears that are fixed for analysis, and inactivated specimens.
Furthermore, all staff should be well-trained to handle any kind of situations that may arise from working in an environment where they face high risks of exposure. Laboratory workers face risks when they handle specimens or dissect tissues. They may get infected from aerosol exposures or droplets and therefore need to strictly follow all biosafety measures for coronavirus.
Guidance for Point-of-Care Testing Point-of-care (POC) centers run tests to help lessen the burden on laboratories and also to reach out to communities that do not have access to laboratory testing facilities. A POC may be constructed at a rural area, a correctional facility, or a residential complex where as sudden outbreak of COVID 19 has been identified. Staff at POC sites need to be carefully trained to minimize the risk they face as part of their job. They need to be taught to wear protective gear such as masks, gloves, and laboratory coats. Additionally, they also need to be taught to handle the swab specimens carefully to ensure accurate results.
Guidance for Waste Management At present, COVID 19 specimens or suspect specimens are to be handled akin to any other biohazardous waste material. There is no current need for any further steps.
Guidance for Shipment of Specimen All specimens of COVID 19 (suspect and confirmed) need to be labelled as UN 3373 Biological Substance, Category B before they are packed and shipped.
This is an overview of the current biosafety measures for coronavirus that have been put in place. It is important to stay up-to-date with the latest research regarding the novel coronavirus. Moreover, it is essential that your sources of information are genuine ones. Medical Learning Hub (MLH) is a reliable source that offers accurate information on the latest developments in the medical community with regards to the COVID 19 pandemic. With a variety of online courses and webinars, MLH is a trustworthy platform for doctors and other healthcare professionals who wish to learn more about the latest developments in the medical world. Log on to the MLH website to get started.
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