Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This disease was first officially reported in Wuhan, China on December 31st 2019. COVID-19 since developed into a global pandemic and public health crisis which has significantly affected people’s lives, global economy as well as the financial markets. Spreading of COVID-19 has also occurred in a wide range of workplaces, with significant negative effects on income, unemployment and reduced production.
From this point of view, one of the major strategies to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic is to ensure the safety at the workplaces. This indicates the priority to limit the spread and transmission of the virus among employees even if it comes at the additional cost for the economy.
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2
To evaluate the likelihood of COVID-19 outbreaks and to tackle the transmission of COVID-19 at work, it is important to investigate the workplaces from the epidemiological point of view. This includes the recognition and evaluation of:
- Physical, person-to-person, contacts;
- Poorly-ventilated places;
- Common eating areas;
- High customer density areas;
- Shared work accommodation places, and;
- Crowded areas, in general.
Strategies for Reduction of COVID-19 in Workplaces
There are some effective ways to prevent the COVID-19 outbreaks at workplaces. These include:
- Physical distancing;
- Clear and effective guidelines;
- Routine screening;
- Contact tracing;
Equipment with personal protective gear (face masks, sanitizers, etc.); - Effective ventilation system, and
- Environmental monitoring.
Rapid Antigen Tests as a Screening Tool
As mentioned above, a Rapid Antigen Tests could be used as an effective (fast and cheap) tool to screen the workers for COVID-19. These tests can serve as a good preventative measure also due to a fact that people infected with COVID-19 can transmit virus even in the absence of recognizable symptoms. Together with the rest of the public health precautionary measures (temperature checks, mask wearing, hand sanitizers use, maintenance of physical distancing and infected individuals’ isolation), the Antigen Rapid testing at workplaces can significantly help to curb the spread of the virus.
COVID-19 Test Types
There are 2 general types of COVID-19 tests suitable for workplace screening:
- Molecular diagnostic tests, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, which are designated to detect genetic virus material
- Rapid tests such as COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test , which can help to detect the presence of viral proteins (Antigens) in samples.
Benefits of Screening Workplaces by COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test
- Early detection of infected employees – helpful in prevention of infection transmission to co-workers, their families and communities;
- Fast results of rapid antigen tests (in few minutes);
- Lower costs of rapid antigen tests compared to the PCR tests;
- Monitoring workers who lack symptoms but can contribute to spreading of the virus, and
- Easy to use – no need for a specialist or specialized equipment for testing.
