After the completion of a risk assessment, there are new guidelines that allow transportation of COVID-19 specimens through a tube system. A team has developed a defined process and a plan should there be contamination of the tube system.
Effective, September 14, 2021, COVID-19 respiratory specimens can be transported through the tube system.
Each specimen must be double-bagged in biohazardous specimen bags. The sample must be placed in a sealed plastic zip-lock biohazardous bag and then placed in a second sealed plastic zip-lock bag. (Click here to download a photo with directions.) It is recommended that a “secure transaction” process occur, where feasible, for sending samples.