The COVID-19 Pandemic Response: Biosafety Perspectives from a Large Research and Teaching Institution

Abstract

Introduction: Although the COVID-19 pandemic began over 2 years ago, responses from institutions have not been thoroughly documented. Because of constantly evolving guidance from regulatory and public health agencies, the traditional evidence-based risk assessment process was disrupted. It took time to obtain enough actionable information about the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus and its transmission to be able to inform decision making and consistently make accurate recommendations.

Objectives: The primary objective of this article is to detail the actions in chronological order taken by the biosafety team at Arizona State University in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: This article includes a chronicling of actual experiences and observations with a retrospective review and analysis of the actions taken to document and share lessons learned to guard against future pandemics. Specific infection control practices, such as measuring saliva droplets from dropped test tubes, are described and different COVID-19 testing and vaccination site designs are evaluated.

Results: The biosafety team helped collect more than 304,000 saliva samples, deliver 15,528 vaccinations, safely manage more than 170,000 gallons of biohazardous waste, and oversee the pandemic response inventory. The team also conducted inspections, developed safety procedures, and reviewed research protocols.

Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic required safety professionals to re-envision how they perform their work, not only at their place of employment, but also within their communities and at their homes. This presented a challenge to balance inquiry and the scientific process against the urgent need for understanding changing pandemic dynamics and information and developing new best practices.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; biosafety; pandemic; preparedness; university.

Figure 1.

Arizona State University's campus shuttle signage. Color images are available online.

Figure 2.

Disposable face shields produced for health care and COVID-19 testing operations. Color images are available online.

Figure 3.

Examples of Arizona State University's Fall 2020 return-to-campus graphics. Color images are available online.

Figure 4.

Arizona State University's Community of care kits. Color images are available online.

Figure 5.

Diagram of the first in-person COVID-19 testing location. Color images are available online.

Figure 6.

Photograph of the first in-person COVID-19 testing site at Arizona State University. Color images are available online.

Figure 7.

Diagram of the first high-capacity, in-person COVID-19 testing location (Note: The space was 21,518 sq ft). Color images are available online.

Figure 8.

Photograph of the first high-capacity, indoor COVID-19 testing location at Arizona State University. Color images are available online.

Figure 9.

Diagram of the first high-capacity, indoor COVID-19 vaccination site at Arizona State University (Note: The space was 10,983 sq ft). Color images are available online.