Abstract
Background: COVIDApp is a platform created for management of COVID-19 in the workplace. Methods: COVIDApp was designed and implemented for the follow-up of 253 workers from seven companies in Catalonia. The assessment was based on two actions: first, the early detection and management of close contacts and potential cases of COVID-19, and second, the rapid remote activation of protocols. The main objectives of this strategy were to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19 infection in the work area through a new real-time communication channel and to avoid unnecessary sick leave. The parameters reported daily by workers were close contact with COVID cases and signs and/or symptoms of COVID-19. Results: Data were recorded between 1 May and 30 November 2020. A total of 765 alerts were activated by 76 workers: 127 green alarms (16.6%), 301 orange alarms (39.3%), and 337 red alarms (44.1%). Of all the red alarms activated, 274 (81.3%) were activated for symptoms potentially associated with COVID-19, and 63 (18.7%) for reporting close contact with COVID-19 cases. Only eight workers (3.1%) presented symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection. All of these workers underwent RT-PCR tests, which yielded negative results for SARS-CoV2. Three workers were considered to have had a risk contact with COVID-19 cases; only 1 (0.4%) asymptomatic worker had a positive RT-PCR test result, requiring the activation of protocols, isolation, and contact tracing. Conclusions: COVIDApp contributes to the early detection and rapid activation of protocols in the workplace, thus limiting the risk of spreading the virus and reducing the economic impact caused by COVID-19 in the productive sector. The platform shows the progression of infection in real time and can help design new strategies.
Highlights
The disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, COVID-19, has become a global pandemic affecting around 200 countries worldwide, with more than 158.9 million people infected globally and more than 3.3 million related deaths as of 14 May 2021 [1,2]
We describe the application and design of the study, the results, and the usefulness of the new strategy for the control of an epidemic are discussed, and compared with other similar applications
COVIDApp aims to ensure workplace safety through the following: (1) rapid detection of people with symptoms of COVID-19; (2) rapid detection of persons who have been in close contact with a COVID-19 case, and (3) remote activation of protocols such as referral to a primary care center for reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay and isolation of suspected cases
Summary
The disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, COVID-19, has become a global pandemic affecting around 200 countries worldwide, with more than 158.9 million people infected globally and more than 3.3 million related deaths as of 14 May 2021 [1,2]. Since the first confirmed case reported on 31 January 2020, there have been over 3.5 million people. COVIDApp is a platform created for management of COVID-19 in the workplace. The assessment was based on two actions: first, the early detection and management of close contacts and potential cases of COVID-19, and second, the rapid remote activation of protocols. The parameters reported daily by workers were close contact with. A total of 765 alerts were activated by 76 workers: 127 green alarms (16.6%), 301 orange alarms (39.3%), and 337 red alarms (44.1%).
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