Workplace risk management for SARS-CoV-2: a three-step early in-tervention strategy for effective containment of infection chains with special regards to virus variants with increased infectivity

Paassen, A.; Anderle, L.; John, K.; Wilbrand, S.

Background: Priority during the SARS-CoV2 pandemic is that employees need to be protected from infection risks and business activities need to be ensured. New virus variants with increased infec-tion risks require an evolved risk strategy. Material and methods: Several standard measures such as testing, isolation and quarantine are combined to a novel risk strategy. Epidemiological model calculations and scientific knowledge about the course of SARS-CoV2 infectivity are used to optimize this strategy. The procedure is implemented in an easy-to-use calculator based on Excel. Layout in practice and results: Alternative combinations of measures and practical aspects are discussed. Example calculations are used to demonstrate the effect of the discussed measures. Conclusion: That quarantine calculator derived from these principles enables even non-specialists to perform a differentiated risk analysis and to introduce optimized measures. Targeted testing routines and alternative measures ensure staff availability.