Microscopy and the COVID-19 Pandemic, What We Need to Know?-The Hygiene Protocols and Digitalization

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has reemphasized the significance of personal protection at all the levels, from public places to hospitals, to working spaces to residence and at individual levels. It is inevitable for personnel in a common working space to share items multiple times one after the other frequently. Laboratory is one such arena and is also of great concern as it is associated with handling pathogenic specimens, investigating and diagnosing pathologies.  By nature, it can be of great concern due to the possibility of higher chances of cross contamination. This fact is made even more precarious by the current COVID 19 pandemic. Hence there is a great need for a set of guidelines, appropriate protocols, best hygiene practices and digitalization in reporting and teaching learning, to be followed in the laboratory to prevent cross contamination. Microscopy work area is part of laboratory where microscopes are placed and used by the professionals for pathological diagnosis or research. Though there are set guidelines to be followed for most aspects of the laboratory, the cleanliness and personal protective guidelines for microscopes are sparse. Use of a disposable or reusable plastic film for covering microscopes, selection of suitable disinfectant, use of proper cleaning and protective tools and safeguarding the sensitive parts of microscope are highly recommended.