MILPITAS, Calif., Mar. 18, 2020 – Bay Area employers have reason to be optimistic about being able to reopen their businesses quickly and safely. Milpitas-based IGeneX, a fully certified lab with a long history of performing molecular and immunological diagnostic testing, is offering Bay Area employers a special program to get their employees tested for COVID-19 so companies can resume full operations in a responsible manner.
IGeneX is offering a Real-time RT-PCR test that determines if an employee is currently infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as two ImmunoBlot tests to determine if an employee’s immune system has produced antibodies against the infection. The information from these tests can help determine if it is safe for an employee to return to work.
Employees will likely welcome any testing that helps them get back to work, as California’s unemployment rate could reach 25% due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, the Employment Development Department (EDD) said it had processed 4.7 million unemployment benefit claims since the week ending March 14. That would amount to about 24.4% of the state’s civilian labor force of 19.2 million workers, using the most recent figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“IGeneX is honored to be able to extend the availability of COVID-19 testing to companies across the Bay Area,” says Dr. Jyotsna Shah, President and Laboratory Director at IGeneX. “As companies look to resume normal operations, it’s clear that widespread and accurate testing of employees will play a critical role in ensuring a safe workplace. Break rooms, meeting rooms, and warehouse floors are just a few of the places where potentially at-risk employees come together and viruses can be transmitted.”
How to Get Employees Tested
- Contact IGeneX at 1-800-832-3200 to get your company set up in the special COVID-19 Employer Program.
- IGeneX will provide test kits, as well as guidance on how to collect specimens from employees and organize transportation of specimens to IGeneX.
- Results will be provided between 24-48 hours after receipt of samples.
Which Employees Should be Tested?
IGeneX recommends testing both symptomatic and asymptomatic employees for COVID-19. Symptomatic employees are those with a fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. If positive, the employee can be quarantined and treated before the disease spreads. Asymptomatic employees don’t display symptoms, but may unknowingly expose and transfer the virus to others.
IGeneX also suggests employers test their employees with a panel, which consists of both Real-time RT-PCR and antibody test methods. In a recent study of 60 patients, IGeneX found that 25 were Real-time RT-PCR positive for SARS-Cov-2. Of the 25 positive patients, two had no symptoms. Of the 35 negative patients, two were sick and tested positive for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. These patients would have been misdiagnosed if only one test method were performed.
“At IGeneX, we are real people who understand the very personal, real-life impact that COVID-19 is having,” says Shah. “It is our goal to help people get back to work quickly, so they can regain their livelihood and careers, but do so in a way that will be safe for them, their co-workers, and their family at home.”
For more information on how you can get your employees tested, please contact IGeneX today at 1-800-832-3200 or visit igenex.com.
