Question: Which precaution measures should be taken when personnel transports the specimens containing suspected or known COVID-19 samples within a facility?

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
section_headers: Specimen Packing and Shipping
What specific packaging should personnel use when shipping suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 patient specimens, isolates or cultures?
section_content: Pack and ship suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 patient specimens, cultures or
isolates as UN 3373 Biological Substance, Category B, in accordance with the
current edition of the International Air Transport Association (IATA)
Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR)external
icon:

A leakproof primary container.
A leakproof, watertight secondary packaging with absorbent material.
A rigid outer packaging to protect the specimens during shipment.

For additional information, refer to the following:

IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations Packaging Instruction 650pdf iconexternal icon
Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines for Handling and Processing Specimens Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Laboratory biosafety guidance related to the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)pdf iconexternal icon


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Has detailed guidelines for transporting coronavirus samples with links to more detailed information.
This does not answer the question. This information contains guidance on transporting specimens through air transport and the question is asking on precaution measures when transporting specimens of suspected or confirmed Covid-19 patients within a facility.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
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Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
section_headers: Specimen Handling
How should personnel transport suspected or confirmed SARS CoV-2 specimens within a facility?
section_content: Personnel should adhere to standard procedures associated with other
respiratory pathogens, such as seasonal influenza and other human
coronaviruses, when they transport specimens within a facility. Personnel
should perform site- and activity-specific risk assessments to determine if
enhanced biosafety precautions are warranted based on situational needs.
For additional information, refer to the following:

Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines for Handling and Processing Specimens Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Laboratory biosafety guidance related to the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).pdfpdf iconexternal icon


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Clearly states that coronavirus samples should be treated like samples of other respiratory viruses.
This is a direct answer to the question. This answer provides information on what assessments should be carried out and what procedures should personnel adhered to when transporting specimens of suspected or confirmed Covid-19 patients within a facility.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
section_headers: Specimen Handling
What is the recommended biosafety level for handling suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 patient specimens?
section_content: Routine viral testing of patient specimens, such as the following activities,
can be handled in a BSL-2 laboratory using Standard Precautions:
• Using automated instruments and analyzers
• Staining and microscopic analysis of fixed smears
• Examination of bacterial cultures
• Pathologic examination and processing of formalin-fixed or otherwise
inactivated tissues
• Molecular analysis of extracted nucleic acid preparations
• Final packaging of specimens for transport to diagnostic laboratories for
additional testing. Specimens should already be in a sealed, decontaminated
primary container
• Using inactivated specimens, such as specimens in nucleic acid extraction
buffer
• Electron microscopic studies with glutaraldehyde-fixed grids
For additional information, refer to the following:

CDC 2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panelexternal icon
Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines for Handling and Processing Specimens Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030 Bloodborne Pathogens Standardexternal icon


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Gives clear information about how coronavirus specimens should be packaged for transport.
This answer is irrelevant to the question. This answer contains information regarding standard precautions when performing routine viral testing of patient specimens and the question is asking for information on precaution measures when transporting specimens containing Covid-19 samples within a facility.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Bad