The ICMR has advised government laboratories to retain all samples testing positive for coronavirus infection for a minimum of 30 days before destroying them. In its ‘Guidelines for storage of respiratory specimens collected for COVID-19 diagnosis by RT-PCR platforms in government laboratories’, the apex health research body said appropriate procedures to disinfect all samples prior to disposal must be followed and the labs should keep a record of the destruction. According to the guidelines, all samples being stored for a long-term must be appropriately labelled indicating laboratory identifiers, date of collection and must be kept in properly functioning -80degreesC deep freezers. A proper inventory (preferably electronic) of stored samples should be essentially maintained

The ICMR has advised government laboratories to retain all samples testing positive for coronavirus infection for a minimum of 30 days before destroying them. In its ‘Guidelines for storage of respiratory specimens collected for COVID-19 diagnosis by RT-PCR platforms in government laboratories’, the apex health research body said appropriate procedures to disinfect all samples prior to disposal must be followed and the labs should keep a record of the destruction. According to the guidelines, all samples being stored for a long-term must be appropriately labelled indicating laboratory identifiers, date of collection and must be kept in properly functioning -80degreesC deep freezers. A proper inventory (preferably electronic) of stored samples should be essentially maintained