As data from public health entities continues to emerge about COVID-19 and the Delta variant, we have learned it is more infectious and leading to increased transmissibility when compared with other variants. With the Delta variant accounting for more than 93% of new COVID-19 cases and being more than 2x as contagious as previous variants, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), businesses and employers everywhere are being challenged with how to return to in-person environments safely. In these difficult and ever-changing times, importance has been placed on vaccination and testing.
Vaccines and Testing in the Workplace
According to the CDC, COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection and potentially severe complications. Even while some people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may still get sick, vaccination remains a critical tool to helping stop the spread of COVID-19. The CDC recommends that to maximize protection from the Delta variant and help prevent spreading it to others, getting vaccinated and wearing a mask indoors in public.
In addition, testing could be effective in helping to prevent transmission for select workplace settings. The CDC encourages employers to collaborate with health officials to determine how to implement testing strategies within their work environments.
Presidential Action Plan for Combating COVID-19
The Biden Administration recently released a comprehensive national strategy for combating COVID-19 testing. Within, it is noted that employers with 100+ employees will be required to ensure their workforce is fully-vaccinated or require any workers who remain unvaccinated to produce a negative test result on at least a weekly basis before coming to work.
COVID-19 Testing For Large Employers
We want to do everything to help make the process as easy and convenient as possible for employers and their employees alike. To support return-to-work strategies and COVID-19 screening efforts, we offer scalable solutions for all employer sizes, including digital registration and check-in, on-site specimen collection, secure online test result access, and educational resources for employees.
BioReference has established industry-leading on-site services with many large organizations, from national sports leagues to major cruise lines. Over the course of the pandemic, our test capacity and expertise have grown exponentially, and we are ready to collaborate with large employers to provide comprehensive, digital, and on-location diagnostic services that help identify infection and help promote safe environments.
For more information on setting up a COVID-19 testing program, please contact us here.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/delta-variant.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/effectiveness.html
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/testing-non-healthcare-workplaces.html
https://www.whitehouse.gov/covidplan/
