• Basic blood supply demands

• Surveillance of blood components

• Designated by the CECC as a testing laboratory for reported COVID-19 cases

In August 2020, a new emerging infectious disease surveillance laboratory was established, featuring a Biosafety Level 2 Plus (BSL-2+) facility equipped with negative pressure systems. Guided by the principles of "Safety, Quality, Professionalism, and Efficiency," the laboratory aims to safeguard patients' rights to blood transfusion safety. Positioned as the "R&D Center for Emerging Infectious Disease Testing Technologies," it establishes testing methods for transfusion-related pathogens. These include molecular and serological testing methods for Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika viruses, with the ultimate goal of applying for accreditation as a Taiwan CDC-Accredited Laboratory.

• The first state-of-the-art, comprehensive, and professional BSL-2 negative-pressure laboratory among all blood donation centers in Taiwan that fully complies with strict biosafety standards.

• The facility is engineered entirely to BSL-3 specifications, featuring independent HVAC systems, a dedicated exhaust system, and a Bag-In/Bag-Out (BIBO) air filtration system.

• The designated testing laboratory for reported COVID-19 cases.

• The laboratory has successfully established both molecular and serological testing methodologies for Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika viruses.

• Dengue testing capability passed the Taiwan CDC Proficiency Test on October 16, 2023, and the facility officially became a Taiwan CDC-Accredited Laboratory for Dengue Testing on October 24, 2023.

• Benchmarked against other blood donation centers across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, no other facility matches this center in terms of laboratory biosafety levels and the comprehensive scope of testing capabilities.

• COVID-19 NAT (PCR) capacity expanded from 60 to over 240 tests per day.

• COVID-19 monitored blood products from confirmed COVID-19 blood donors, testing a total of 1,283 samples.

• All molecular (NAT) test results returned negative, demonstrating that blood transfusion safety was fully maintained.

• Blood supply satisfaction survey: 38 medical institutions were surveyed, with 31 responses received.

• 2021.6： Conducted testing for reported COVID-19 cases.

• 2021.7：Assisted in investigating and clarifying the Taoyuan General Hospital nosocomial outbreak.

• 2021.8：Collaborated with Taiwan CDC on the blood donor serological antibody surveillance project.

• 2022.6：Assisted Taiwan CDC in conducting COVID-19 surveillance.

• 2023.1：Re-assisted Taiwan CDC in conducting COVID-19 surveillance.

• 2020.9：Approved by Taiwan CDC, validating laboratory biosafety compliance and passing the Proficiency Test for designated COVID-19 testing laboratories.

• Surveillance of blood samples from confirmed COVID-19 donors during the high-risk period (April–August 2022) yielded entirely negative results, with zero instances of SARS-CoV-2 viral detection in the collected blood.

• Global COVID-19 seroprevalence among blood donors: Taiwan 0.02% (Jan–Feb 2020; n=10,000), Canada 0.7%, New Zealand 5.9%, Kenya 5.6%, and Brazil 13.6%.

• Global SARS-CoV-2 RNA positivity rate among blood donors: Taiwan recorded 0 cases (Jan 2020; n=2,000).

• A satisfaction survey was conducted across 38 medical institutions, yielding 31 responses.

• Based on the committee's recommendations, future satisfaction surveys will expand to incorporate dedicated contracted medical clinics (approximately over 120 institutions).

• Research Publication: "Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 remained extremely low in Taiwan until the vaccination program implemented" was submitted to Open Forum Infectious Diseases (OFID), an official journal of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) with an impact factor of 4.2.

• COVID-19 antibody positivity rates demonstrated perfect consistency with Taiwan CDC data: the Hsinchu Blood Center detected a 0.02% positivity rate among 10,000 sampled donors (Jan–Feb 2021), identical to the 0.02% rate found in Taiwan CDC's sample of 5,000 donors (Apr–Jul 2021).

• Testing Efficiency of Hsinchu Blood Center: Results are delivered within 4 to 6 hours, comparable to the turnaround times of leading medical centers across Taiwan.

• Supported the government's pandemic response by joining the National COVID-19 Testing Team.

• Enhanced the nation's overall COVID-19 testing capacity, advanced research on emerging infectious pathogens, and contributed to the formulation of pandemic control strategies.

• External Audit Commentary (Dec. 30, 2021): "The BSL-2+ negative-pressure laboratory established by the Hsinchu Blood Center offers an exceptional environment, featuring a spacious work area and state-of-the-art equipment. It serves as a benchmark for other laboratories in the Hsinchu region.

• Upholding the public welfare spirit of "taking from society and giving back to society," all urgent testing services were strictly publicly funded to effectively alleviate the financial burden on citizens.