Benchmarking SARS CoV-2 Infection in the Workplace to Support Continuity of Operations

Abstract

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic jeopardizes continuity of operations of workplaces and the health and safety of workers. Exemplar workplace-related SARS-CoV-2 benchmarks are described and illustrated with empirical data.

Methods: Benchmarks were collected over a 9-month period on a large workplace (N = 5500+). These ranged from quantitative indices associated with RT-qPCR targeted testing and random surveillance screening, surveillance for new variants of SARS-CoV-2, intensive contact tracing, case management, return to work procedures, to monitoring of antibody seropositive status.

Results: Data and analyses substantiated effectiveness of interventions. This was evidenced in suppressed infection rates, rapid case identification and isolation, acceptance of the program by employees, documentation of presumptive immunity, and working relationships with senior management.

Conclusions: These SARS-CoV-2 exemplar benchmarks provided an evidence-base for practice and contributed strategically to organizational decisions.

FIGURE 1

Total test positivity rate comparison for ORNL and reference groups. Note. ORNL, Knox County, Tennessee, and eight county surrounding region total test positivity rates over 39 weeks of COVID-19 testing. County and state data are from https://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov/data.html. COVID-19, Coronavirus disease; ORNL, The Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

FIGURE 2

Amplification Plot of S gene Drop Off RT-qPCR Result. Note. A plot of fluorescence data produced by hydrolysis of probes bound to specific nucleic acid targets in an RT-qPCR assay shows exponential amplification of the bacteriophage MS2 extraction control as well as N and ORF1ab gene fragments in the sample. However, the S gene fragment is poorly amplified, and fluorescence values do not cross the threshold indicating a drop out. RT-qPCR, real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.