mteb/FeedbackQARetrieval huggingface dataset:
Frequently Asked Questions
Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs
What can I do if my child has difficulties adjusting to new routines and following recommendations?
Helping children understand and follow recommendations, like social distancing
and wearing cloth face coverings, can be challenging if your child has intellectual
disabilities, sensory issues, or other special healthcare needs.

Keeping children at home and sheltering in place can lower stress created by social distancing and cloth face covering recommendations. Reach out to others for help in running essential errands.
Behavioral techniques can be used to address behavioral challenges and to develop new routines. These include social stories, video modeling, picture schedules, and visual cues. Try rewarding your child in small ways with his or her favorite non-food treat or activities to help switch routines and to follow recommendations.
Many of the organizations you turn to for information and support around your child’s complex, chronic medical condition may have information on their websites to help families address issues related to COVID-19.
Your child’s therapist(s) and/or teachers may also have resources to help successfully introduce new routines to your child.

Additional information on caring for children and on child development specific
conditions are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 and Animals
What precautions should be taken for animals that have recently been imported from outside the United States (for example, by shelters, rescues, or as personal pets)?
Imported animals will need to meet
CDC and USDAexternal iconexternal
icon
requirements for entering the United States. At this time, there is no
evidence that companion animals, including pets and service animals, can
spread the virus that causes COVID-19. As with any animal introduced to a new
environment, animals recently imported should be observed daily for signs of
illness. If an animal becomes ill, the animal should be examined by a
veterinarian. Call your local veterinary clinic before bringing the animal
into the clinic and let them know that the animal was recently imported from
another country.
This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it
becomes available.
Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 and Animals
Can I walk my dog?
Walking a dog is important for both animal and human health and well-being.
Walk dogs on a leash, maintaining at least 6 feet (2 meters) from other people
and animals, do not gather in groups, and stay out of crowded places and avoid
mass gatherings. Do not go to dog parks or public places where a large number
of people and dogs gather. To help maintain social distancing, do not let
other people pet your dog when you are out for a walk.
Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
Specimen Packing and Shipping
Once packaging of the samples is complete should staff members decontaminate the work area?
Decontaminate work surfaces and equipment with appropriate disinfectants. Use
EPA-registered hospital disinfectants with label claims to be effective
against SARS-CoV-2external icon. Follow
manufacturer’s recommendations for use, such as dilution, contact time, and
safe handling.
For additional information, refer to the following:

Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings
Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines for Handling and Processing Specimens Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
Specimen Packing and Shipping
What information is required on the outer package for shipment of specimens with ice packs?
A: Ensure the outer package has been properly marked and labeled with the
following:

Hazard labeled with UN Identification Number already on label – UN 3373
Biological Substance, Category B
Shipper’s name, address, and phone number
Receiver’s name, address, and phone number
Name and phone number of a responsible person is optional if it is on the airway bill

For additional information, refer to the following:

Guidance on regulations for the transport of infectious substances 2019 – 2020pdf iconexternal icon


Dangerous Goods Documentationexternal icon


Click on “Infectious substances” and there is an option to download the packing instructions.


external iconexternal iconLabels for UN 3373 


When using cold packpdf iconpdf icon – Include the name and telephone number of the person who will be available during normal business hours who knows the content of the shipment (can be someone at CDC). Place the label on one side of the box and cover the label completely with clear tape (do not tape just the edges of the label).




Schematic for packaging, UN 3373 Category Bpdf icon
pdf iconpdf icon
Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
Specimen Packing and Shipping
What information is required on the outer packages for shipment of specimens with dry ice?
Ensure the outer package has been properly marked and labeled with the
following:

Hazard labeled with UN Identification Number already on label – UN 3373
Biological Substance, Category B
Hazard Labeled with UN Identification Number- UN 1845
Dry Ice along with the net weight (kg) of the dry ice
Shipper’s name and address
Receiver’s name and address
Name and phone number of a responsible person.

For additional information, refer to the following:

Guidance on regulations for the transport of infectious substances 2019 – 2020pdf iconexternal icon
IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations Packaging Instruction 650 


Packing Instructions 650 for UN 3373external icon


Click on “Infectious substances” and there is an option to download the packing instructions.


Labels for UN 3373 
When using dry icepdf iconpdf icon – Include the name and telephone number of the person who will be available during normal business hours who knows the content of the shipment (can be someone at CDC). Place the label on one side of the box and cover the label completely with clear tape (do not tape just the edges of the label).


Schematic for packaging, UN 3373 Category Bpdf icon
Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
Specimen Packing and Shipping
Do people packing patient specimens, isolates or cultures for transport need to be trained and competent?
For transporting patient specimens, cultures or isolates, personnel must be
trained in the proper safety, packing, and shipping regulations for Division
6.2, 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. Personnel
should be trained in a manner that corresponds to their function-specific
responsibilities.
For additional information, refer to the following:

Guidance on regulations for the transport of infectious substances 2019 – 2020pdf iconexternal icon
Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
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?
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
Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
Specimen Handling
What procedures can generate aerosols and droplets?
Many routine laboratory procedures can potentially generate aerosols and
droplets that are often undetectable. The following laboratory procedures have
been associated with the generation of infectious aerosols and droplets:
centrifugation, pipetting, vortexing, mixing, shaking, sonicating, removing
caps, decanting liquids, preparing smears, flaming slides, aliquoting and
loading specimens, loading syringes, manipulating needles, syringes or sharps,
aspirating and transferring blood and body fluids, subculturing blood culture
bottles, spilling specimens, and cleaning up spills.
For additional information, refer to the following:

Guidelines for Safe Work Practices in Human and Animal Medical Diagnostic Laboratoriespdf iconpdf icon
Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, 5th Ed.
Laboratory biosafety guidance related to the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)pdf iconexternal icon
Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
Specimen Handling
How should specimens be stored?
Store specimens at 2-8oC for up to 72 hours after collection. If a delay
occurs in extraction, store specimens at -70oC or lower. Store extracted
nucleic acid samples at -70oC or lower.
For additional information, refer to the following:

Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings
CDC 2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panelexternal icon
Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
Specimen Packing and Shipping
Is a shipper’s declaration required? What documentation is required for shipment? What if specimens are shipped on dry ice?
A shipper’s declaration is not required for UN 3373 Biological Substances,
Category B shipped samples. If an Air Waybill is used, the “Nature and
Quantity of Goods” box should show “UN 3373 Biological Substance, Category B”
along with the number of packages. If specimens are shipped on dry ice,
include UN 1845, Dry Ice, 9, along with the net weight of the dry ice. See
IATA PI 650 for additional information.
For additional information, refer to the following:

Guidance on regulations for the transport of infectious substances 2019 – 2020pdf iconexternal iconpdf iconexternal icon
IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations Packaging Instruction 650pdf iconexternal iconpdf iconexternal icon
Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
Specimen Handling
What disinfectant should personnel use to decontaminate work surfaces?
Decontaminate work surfaces and equipment with appropriate disinfectants. Use
EPA-registered hospital disinfectants with label claims to be effective
against SARS-CoV-2external icon. Follow
manufacturer’s recommendations for use, such as dilution, contact time, and
safe handling.
Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
Specimen Packing and Shipping
Is a Responsible Person required on the shipping paperwork?
Yes, a Responsible Person should be listed on the air waybill or Shipper’s
Declaration (if applicable).
For additional information, refer to the following:

Guidance on regulations for the transport of infectious substances 2019 – 2020pdf iconexternal iconpdf iconexternal icon
IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations Packaging Instruction 650pdf iconexternal iconpdf iconpdf iconexternal iconexternal iconpdf iconexternal icon
Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
Specimen Packing and Shipping
What information is required on an overpack if used for specimen shipment?
The overpack should be marked in accordance with the packing instructions
required for the outer package:

Hazard labeled with UN Identification Number already on the label – UN 3373
Biological Substance, Category B
Shipper’s name, address, and phone number
Receiver’s name, address, and phone number
Package Orientation Label
Marked with the word “Overpack”
Name and phone number of a responsible person is optional if it is on the airway bill

For additional information, refer to the following:
• IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations Packaging Instruction 650pdf iconexternal
iconpdf iconexternal
icon
• Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines for Handling and Processing
Specimens Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019
(COVID-19)
Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
Specimen Handling
How should laboratory personnel remove biohazardous waste from the laboratory or testing area for decontamination and disposal?
Handle laboratory waste from testing suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patient
specimens as all other biohazardous waste in the laboratory. Currently, there
is no evidence to suggest that this laboratory waste needs additional
packaging or disinfection procedures.
For additional information, refer to the following:

Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) (5th edition)
Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
Specimen Packing and Shipping
What specific packaging should personnel use when shipping suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 patient specimens, isolates or cultures?
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
Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
Specimen Handling
If laboratory personnel collect blood or respiratory specimens directly from suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients, what PPE should they wear?
If laboratory personnel have direct contact with suspected or confirmed
COVID-19 patients, they should follow recommended PPE for health care
providers while in the presence of these patients.
For additional information, refer to:

Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030 Bloodborne Pathogens Standardexternal icoexternal icon
Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
Specimen Handling
How should the laboratory perform a risk assessment to identify and mitigate risks?
All laboratories should perform a site-specific and activity-specific risk
assessment to identify and mitigate risks and determine if enhanced biosafety
precautions are warranted based on situational needs, such as high testing
volumes, and the likelihood to generate infectious droplets and aerosols. Risk
assessments and mitigation measures are dependent on the procedures performed,
identification of the hazards involved in the process and/or procedures, the
competency level of the personnel who perform the procedures, the laboratory
equipment and facility, and the resources available.
The risk assessment should identify all potential scenarios of a particular
activity that could produce a negative outcome. The risk assessment should
prioritize those potential negative outcomes, or risks, based on an evaluation
of the likelihood and consequences of each of those identified risks. The risk
assessment should determine the most appropriate control measures, and how the
system will measure the effectiveness of those control measures.
For additional information, refer to the following:

Laboratory biosafety guidance related to the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)pdf iconexternal icon
Risk Assessment Best Practicespdf iconexternal icon
World Health Organization Laboratory Biosafety Manual, 3rdpdf iconexternal icon
Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
Specimen Handling
How should point-of-care testing (POCT) be conducted outside a traditional laboratory?
For viral testing of specimens conducted outside of a traditional clinical
laboratory, such as rapid respiratory testing, use Standard Precautions to
provide a barrier between the specimen and personnel during specimen
manipulation.
For additional information, refer to:

Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines for Handling and Processing Specimens Associated with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
Specimen Handling
What are Standard Precautions?
Standard Precautions are based on the principle that all blood, body fluids,
secretions, nonintact skin, mucous membranes, and excretions (except sweat)
may contain transmissible infectious agents. Standard Precautions include hand
hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as laboratory
coats or gowns, gloves, and eye protection.
For additional information, refer to the following:

2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settingspdf iconpdf icon
CDC Isolation Precautions
Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
Specimen Packing and Shipping
At what temperature should specimens be shipped?
Specimens should be shipped at 2-8oC with ice packs. If the specimen is
frozen, ship overnight on dry ice. The primary receptacle and the secondary
packaging should maintain their integrity at the temperature of the
refrigerant used as well as the temperatures and the pressures which could
result if refrigeration were lost. Packages containing dry ice should be
designed and constructed so as to prevent the buildup of pressure and to allow
the release of gas that could rupture the packaging.
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)
Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
Specimen Handling
What are infectious aerosols and droplets?
Aerosols and droplets containing particles that are <100 μm in diameter
are not visible to the naked eye. Laboratory workers may not be aware that
such particles can be generated during many laboratory procedures and that
these particles could be inhaled or could cross-contaminate work surfaces,
materials, and equipment.
Infectious aerosols are small liquid or solid particles suspended in the
air that contain infectious agents. They can disperse throughout the
laboratory and remain infective over time and distance. These particles are of
a size that may be inhaled into the lower respiratory tract (<5 μm in
diameter). Examples of organisms transmitted by aerosols include spores of
Aspergillus spp., Mycobacterium tuberculosis, rubeola virus (measles), and
varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox).
Droplets traditionally are defined as larger infectious particles (>5 μm
in diameter) that rapidly fall out of the air, contaminating gloves, the
immediate work area, and the mucous membranes of the persons performing the
procedure.
Examples of infectious agents that are transmitted via the droplet route
include Bordetella pertussis, influenza viruses, adenovirus, Mycoplasma
pneumoniae, SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV), group A streptococcus, and
Neisseria meningitidis.
For additional information, refer to the following:

WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual, 3rdpdf iconexternal icon
2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settingspdf iconpdf icon
CDC Isolation Precautions
Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
Specimen Handling
What is the recommended biosafety level for handling suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 patient specimens?
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
Frequently Asked Questions about Biosafety and COVID-19
Specimen Handling
How should personnel transport suspected or confirmed SARS CoV-2 specimens within a facility?
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
Frequently Asked Questions about Laboratory Testing and COVID-19
For Public Health Laboratories: Ordering Supplies
What supplies are being distributed by IRR for COVID-19 testing?
The expanded catalog of COVID-19 diagnostic supplies includes:

Extraction kits , to isolate the viral genetic material (RNA)

Test kits , to determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2
Click here for more information about CDC’s test
kits


DISCONTINUED: Sample collection kits , to swab via the nasopharynx, suggest nose, and/or throat (See below to learn more about the process for ordering swabs.)
Frequently Asked Questions about Laboratory Testing and COVID-19
For Clinical Laboratories: Ordering Supplies
How do I obtain reagents for the CDC EUA real-time RT-PCR assay for SARS-CoV-2?
Clinical laboratories can purchase reagents for the CDC EUA real-time RT-PCR
primers and probes from Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) or Biosearch
Technologies. CDC has posted a list of approved reagents and acceptable lots
on the CDC COVID-19 website .
Clinical laboratories also can purchase commercially developed viral tests
with an EUA from the manufacturer.
Frequently Asked Questions about Laboratory Testing and COVID-19
For All Laboratories: Serology
Should I test for IgG, IgM, or total immunoglobulin?
The decision to test for IgG, IgM, or total immunoglobulin, which could also
include IgA, depends on the purpose for testing. Testing for total
immunoglobulin may increase sensitivity for identifying people who have been
recently infected. Testing for IgG may be a better marker of durable immunity
to SARS-CoV-2. However, we need additional data on the maturation of the
immune response to SARS-CoV-2 to make evidence-based recommendations for all
testing scenarios. Scientists from CDC and elsewhere are investigating how
SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses develop over time.