CDC Releases Guidance on SARS-CoV-2 Testing for Non-Healthcare Workplaces
On July 3, CDC published a document providing guidance on the appropriate use of SARS-CoV-2 testing in non-healthcare workplaces. The
new guidance
is intended to assist employers with incorporating testing for SARS-CoV-2 into a pandemic preparedness, response, and control plan. According to CDC, SARS-CoV-2 testing can be used as part of a comprehensive plan to reduce transmission in non-healthcare workplaces, along with symptom screening and contact tracing. The guidance states that employees being tested should be informed of the test’s name, type, and manufacturer; its purpose, reliability, and limitations; how the test will be paid for; and how it will be performed. They should also understand what the results mean, what actions they should take, who will receive the results, and any consequences of declining testing. CDC identifies separate testing strategies for five categories of people: those with signs or symptoms of COVID-19, those without symptoms but who have recent known or suspected exposure, those without both symptoms and known or suspected exposure, those who have been infected but are recovering, and populations under public health surveillance to detect trends and hotspots.
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