With the help of a multi-level safety concept consisting of testing and questioning, the pandemic is to be better managed and contained so that companies can maintain work operations while reducing the health risk for employees.
In times of the pandemic, many companies are faced with the question of how the risk of infection for employees, customers and clients can be limited in the best possible way and how services and products can still be produced and sold economically. It is particularly problematic that at least half of the infections come from people who do not show any signs of illness. Therefore, the goal must be to find and isolate as many infected people as possible in the first days after infection. To do this, it is necessary to specifically test as many asymptomatic people as necessary.
The protection concept essentially consists of two pillars:
1. a digital, regular survey of all employees::
This makes it possible to classify employees into risk categories A to E, depending on the risk of exposure or relevance for maintaining operations as well as the risk potential for third parties. Based on the result of the individual risk classification, the employees can take concrete rules of conduct from the guideline "Coronavirus: How to behave correctly" (e.g. wear a mask, if necessary saliva and gargle water test).
2. regular testing of system-relevant or particularly exposed employees by means of a PCR gargle test: Depending on the current pandemic situation, these should be tested at regular intervals, if necessary up to daily, using saliva gargle tests and isothermal RT-PCR test procedures (ender MASS). In a further expansion stage, antigen tests will also be used.
As part of the activities of work package 6 (risk areas) of B-FAST, focusing on the responsibilities of the University Medical Centre Mannheim in this area, Gesundes Kinzigtal GmbH is working with the University Medical Centre Mannheim to develop a protection concept for the early detection of micro-outbreaks at workplaces in the Kinzigtal region (CoviSecure: Strategy instead of Pandemic).
CoviSecure has been developed as a comprehensive protection concept in the event of a prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, within the framework of B-FAST for medium-sized regions and rural structures. It integrates existing structures and local expertise, e.g. from doctors in private practice.
"We appreciate the simple, uncomplicated handling, as the test can be carried out by the user alone, without an appointment at home in the morning, and the transparent transmission of the result with behaviour and risk assessment via internet platform."
Through a digital, regular survey of all employees via an online tool and the regular testing of system-relevant or particularly exposed employees by means of a throat PCR test, employees receive an individual risk assessment based on infection risk, test and symptoms and can derive rules of conduct. The laboratory transmits the test results directly to the platform, where employees can access them in their personal user account. This saves valuable time. Data processing and reporting takes place under the highest security precautions in the proven platform of HealthVision GmbH and servers in Germany.
"The gargle test is super easy to use. Getting a result the same day gives you quick peace of mind; knowing you have negative reassurance. Despite having a home office available, I often have to be present in the office. So I think it's a great offer from my employer to allow a gargle test in certain situations."
The concept, which is being implemented in the region by Gesundes Kinzigtal GmbH under the brand name "CoviSecure Strategie statt Pandemie" (CoviSecure Strategy instead of Pandemic), gives companies decisive time in recognising micro-outbreaks, because they receive an overview of the risk constellations of individual company areas. At the same time, thanks to the gargle test, they are independent of laboratory capacities and the availability of medical staff. Since the beginning of December, 6 companies, 4 medical practices and 3 nursing homes have been using CoviSecure.
An instructional video for the gargle PCR test can be found here: https://www.virus-finder.de/de/info?tab=adults
If you have any further questions about CoviSecureplease contact Janina Stunder (Head of Health Promotion Department) at Gesundes Kinzigtal GmbH (phone: +49 7831 96667-404, e-mail: covisecure@gesundes-kinzigtal.de).)
"Especially in a corona focus practice, where there is almost daily contact with COVID-infected people, CoviSecure is a very good offer to ensure infection-free cooperation. Especially since gargling generates far more acceptance and participation than the unpleasant and far more elaborate swabbing."
"A situation only becomes controllable, if you know it. CoviSecure makes a decisive contribution to this."
