Table 7.

Summary of Testing Considerations for Nonhealthcare Essential Workplaces

Primary Goals of Testing:

Identify COVID-19 cases.

Maintain essential services, reduce transmission in workplace.

Pretest probability: Low-moderate

Testing Strategy:

Perform a test with short turnaround time (eg, <24 hours), particularly in situations where critical infrastructure workers are continuing to work while awaiting test results. Frequency of screening will depend on type of test used, time to results, local prevalence, and work environment.

Positive result: Rapid quarantine and contact tracing. Institute heightened infection prevention activities if evidence of within-workplace transmission.

Negative result: Continue with standard infection prevention protocols.

Abbreviations: COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019.