Antigen testing can tackle uncertainty in the industry

by | May 5, 2021

The CIF has been a passionate advocate for the reopening of the entire construction industry.

Any uncertainty threatens the industry, its employees and the ability to deliver on the Government’s housing and infrastructure commitments.

Irish COVID-19 testing company RDT Care can provide a solution for this crisis.

RDT Care is a nurse-led team who conduct EU-approved, Rapid Antigen and Rapid PCR tests with results issued within 30 minutes – all on site.

Results are issued using the secure digital V-Health Passport app – www.v-healthpassport.co.uk.

The app automatically generates a personalised secure VCode, which is fully accessible on all electronic devices including phone and laptops.

This VCode can be scanned at any entrance to securely display whether an individual has received a COVID-19 test before they enter the construction site ensuring that only people with negative test results can gain access.

It has successfully been applied on large sites within the UK using ‘Scan and Enter’.

According to RDT Care’s Executive Nurse Cara Cottam the system’s simplicity is key.

“Our system is extremely easy to use and simple to understand. To keep their employees safe, a company or organisation may want to introduce regular testing for people entering a construction site,” she says.

“We provide the end-to-end system which allows them to do this. The app can also be used for contact tracing, and if there is a confirmed case it can identify close contacts.’’

She adds: “What we do at RDT Care is bring it all together into a custom-built service for companies and organisations to meet their needs.

“Our experienced team of registered nurses provide the on-site testing, provide the results and put this all together on the V-Health Passport.

The system is fully adaptable and can be used with PCR, LAMP, antigen or antibody tests.’’

Ireland is the only country that shut down its construction industry.

The lack of cases and outbreaks on construction sites have shown workers can be at work without spreading COVID-19 in the community.

RDT Care can provide construction sites with what they need to ensure they can run their operation safely and successfully.

It’s unique workflow design which will maximise the flow within organisations and protect workers.

Trained medical personnel can come to site to carry out group testing, ensuring minimal disruption to work practice.

How it works

Testing detects COVID-19 cases immediately using the German manufactured Rapid Antigen test, EU Commission certified and CE certified.

It can provide an early warning of a potential outbreak to manage all positive tests in line with government guidelines.

Testing allows personnel to work Covid safely across multiple sites, where key personnel and their substitutes can be prioritised.

It allows the formation of ‘bubbles’ for critical working periods, while also reducing isolation time for members of a bubble in the event of a positive case.

PCR testing results are available in 30 minutes.

Testing can be carried out in advance of critical working periods to provide assurance and adequate time to make any necessary substitutions.

This reduces the impact of a major outbreak – the HSE would look favourably upon best practice being adopted and would be unlikely to force a site lockdown.

It provides up-to-date information and communications to the entire workforce and disruption to work can be minimised by individuals booking their tests.

Enhanced Covid security increases well-being and confidence within the workforce

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