Sign relating to laboratory waste at a COVID-19 testing centre

Sign “Offensive Waste (yellow bag)” relating to biological waste produced the Pre-PCR and RT-PCR Analysis rooms on level 2 at Cambridge COVID-19 Test Centre, based at the Anne McLaren Building on the University of Cambridge Biomedical Campus, April 2020 - April 2021

Laboratory testing uses a range of items, which often have to be discarded after a single use. 'Offensive waste' is material used which is non-infectious and non toxic. All bags were cable tied closed and placed in specific coloured bags and bins for collection

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. 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. Staff 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.