Updated Sept. 19, 2020 Summary of Recent Changes Revisions made on September 19, 2020 include: • New link under Resources to DLS Preparing and Supporting Laboratories Responding to COVID-19 page Revisions made on August 7, 2020 include: • Standard Precautions Revisions made on July 16, 2020 include: • Added DOT resources to Specimen Packing and Shipping and Resource section Revisions made on July 13, 2020 to update: • Language for virus isolation Revisions made on June 3, 2020 include: • Added anatomic pathology guidance for COVID-19 • Updated Point-of-Care testing guidance for COVID-19 Revisions made on May 11, 2020 include recommendations for: • Point-of-Care testing guidance for COVID-19 Until more information becomes available, precautions should be taken in handling specimens that are suspected or confirmed for SARS-CoV-2. Timely communication between clinical and laboratory staff is essential to minimize the risk incurred in handling specimens from patients with possible SARS-CoV-2 infection. Such specimens should be labeled accordingly, and the laboratory should be alerted to ensure proper specimen handling. General and specific biosafety guidelines for handling SARS-CoV-2 specimens are provided below. For additional information on handling SARS-CoV-2 specimens, refer to the Laboratory Biosafety Frequently Asked Questions.

General Guidance -- Routine Viral Testing -- Anatomic Pathology -- Decentralized and Point of Care Testing -- Procedures with a High Likelihood to Generate Droplets or Aerosols -- Environmental Specimen Testing -- Virus Isolation -- Decontamination -- Laboratory Waste Management -- Specimen Packing and Shipping -- Resources.

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection