Caution sign from a sample preparation area of a COVID-19 testing centre

Sign “Caution Biohazard” with a yellow biohazard symbol, displayed at the Sample Input area where COVID-19 samples were delivered after initial unpacking and heat treatment at Cambridge COVID-19 Test Centre, based at the Anne McLaren Building on the University of Cambridge Biomedical Campus, April 2020 - April 2021

Warning signs are vital to let people know what types of hazards they may encounter when working in a space. For people working at the Cambridge COVID-19 Test Centre, protecting themselves was important and included Personal Protective Equipment and social distancing.

Delivered in just five weeks rather than the normal six month fit out for a testing laboratory the Cambridge COVID-19 Test Centre tested 3 million samples during its year of operation. 14 robots speeded up the testing rate by six times. The Test Centre was originally a collaboration between the University of Cambridge, AstraZeneca and GSK, staffed by volunteers from the three sites, many of leaving their studies or roles for a few months, or taking on additional jobs. Volunteers worked in shift patterns in the same role to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In June 2020, the testing centre transition to a directly employed workforce, rather than relying on volunteers. The laboratory was run by Charles River Laboratories with 200 staff.