Module Key Takeaways
- Coronavirus are unsegmented single-stranded positive-strand RNA viruses.
- They belong to the order Nidovirales, the family Coronaviridae, and the subfamily Ortho Coronaviridae, which is divided into α (alpha or one), β (beta or two), γ (gamma or three), and δ (delta or four) genera according to their serotype and genomic characteristics.
- The recommended Testing for SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) is Viral (nucleic acid or antigen) tests that check samples from the respiratory system (such as nasal or oral swabs) to determine whether an infection with SARS-CoV-2 is present.
- Biosafety is the development and implementation of administrative policies, work practices, facility design, and safety equipment. It is Used to prevent transmission of biologic agents to workers, other persons, and the environment.
- General laboratory safety precaution standards for COVID-19 Laboratory require that;
- All staff wear gloves when handling any specimen
- Staff wear face shields when handling of uncap specimens to prevent splashing or contact with specimen droplets or aerosols generated by uncapping tubes
- Specimens from suspected or known COVID-19 cases are centrifuged in closed centrifuges and utilize caps on the carriers.
- Staff avoid pipetting, diluting, and vortexing in the open laboratory (instead conducting these procedures behind plexiglass barriers or in a biosafety cabinet)
- When a COVID-19 specimen is collected the laboratory personnel should wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that includes; disposable gloves, surgical mask, anti-fluid gown, and eye protection when handling potentially infectious samples.
- RT-PCR refers to PCR that uses product of an Reverse Transcription (RT) reaction as template
- Quality is the degree to which preset standards are met. The benefits of assuring quality in COVID-19 testing include: monitoring all parts of the testing system, detecting and reducing errors and improving consistency between testing sites.