ABSTRACT
Objectives: Laboratory staff is at higher risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection owing to the handling of patient samples. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) focus risk assessment and risk management are essential for preventing laboratory acquired infections (LAIs). We present herein the steps taken to prevent LAIs related to SARS-CoV-2 testing from February 1, 2020 to September 17, 2020 in a tertiary care hospital in Vietnam. Results: A SARS-CoV-2-focused risk assessment was conducted for laboratory processes. Risk management strategies, including engineering, administrative and operations control procedures, were established. This includes the use of dedicated facility, instrument, and cold chain units for testing; SOPs; training (testing, decontamination and cleaning staff); the introduction of biosafety level 2+ laboratory practices; COVID-19 symptom reporting; enhanced cleaning protocols; and the assigning of additional staff for testing and safety system implementation. In total, 38,377 (daily mean and range: 166; 3 – 2,377) samples were received and tested. The turnaround time (median ± standard deviation (SD)) was 3.54 ± 2.97 days. Altogether, 32 staff members were involved with SARS-CoV-2 testing and biosafety management, and there were no reports of COVID-19 symptoms among them.