Laboratory biosafety guidance related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Interim guidance 12 February 2020

Abstract

The purpose of this document is to provide interim guidance on laboratory biosafety related to the testing of clinical specimens of patients that meet the case definition of the novel pathogen identified in Wuhan, China, that is, 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), now known as the virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As our understanding of COVID-19 is limited but rapidly growing, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to monitor developments and will revise these recommendations as necessary.