Question: What type of biological safety cabinet should be used when handling SARS-CoV-2 specimens, and what should be done if there is no appropriate BSC?

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
section_headers: Specimen Handling
Are certified Class II biological safety cabinets (BSCs) required to process suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 specimens? Should laboratory staff put procedures in place to minimize personnel exposure if there is no certified Class II BSC?
section_content: For procedures with a high likelihood to generate aerosols or droplets, use
either a certified Class II Type A1 or A2 BSC or additional precautions to
provide a barrier between the specimen and personnel. Examples of these
additional precautions include personal protective equipment (PPE), such as a
surgical mask or face shield, or other physical barriers, like a splash
shield; centrifuge safety cups; and sealed centrifuge rotors to reduce the
risk of exposure to laboratory personnel.
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)
Laboratory biosafety guidance related to the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)pdf iconexternal icon


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
Discusses laboratory safety protocol, but doesn't explicitly mention biological safety cabinets.
mentions specific BSC or additional PPE if there is no BSC

Reviewer ratings:
Acceptable
Excellent

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:
Has high-level biosafety guidelines but doesn't mention biological safety cabinets.
no specifics given about cabinet or what to do if no cabinet availbale

Reviewer ratings:
Could be Improved
Could be Improved

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:
Discusses safety guidelines for handling coronavirus samples, but doesn't specifically address biological safety cabinets.
doesn't mention a specific cabinet but does talk about standards to follow

Reviewer ratings:
Acceptable
Could be Improved