While the COVID-19 pandemic has moved to a new phase, the virus is still with us. The rate of cases in our community and among UC ANR employees has declined over the past few months, but transmission of the virus is still occurring in our communities. COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets from an infected person. Current evidence indicates that the current strain of COVID-19 is highly infectious, and that a person may be infected and capable of spreading the disease for a day or two before they experience any symptoms. This means that when we are close to other people for extended periods of time, we might be exposed without knowing it. We can also carry the virus before we feel any symptoms.
Looking back at reported cases among employees, we have observed that there have been increases in the number of COVID-19 cases after holidays, when many people were gathering with groups of friends and family. We also find that many who test positive for COVID-19 have recently traveled and likely contracted the virus due to exposure during their travels. Over the Thanksgiving holiday (November 24 and 25), many of us may be enjoying gatherings with friends and family and/or traveling. To help avoid an increase of COVID-19 cases at the office after the holiday, it is appropriate to take an extra precaution. With that in mind, we will be providing every UC ANR employee with a COVID-19 antigen test kit to take home with them to use after the holiday.
Test kits are being shipped to every ANR location during the week of November 14-18. Please see your Safety Coordinator or office manager to receive a test and take the test home with you before the holiday. After Thanksgiving, on the morning before you return to the office, please check yourself for symptoms and use the self-test. Follow the instructions in the test kit, or view this video for test instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Fqy-xjkxsU. Use the UC ANR COVID-19 Screening Report survey to report the results of your test before coming into work. If you have any symptoms or test positive, please stay home, and let your supervisor know that you will not be coming to work.
If you have any questions about the testing or COVID-19 precautions, please email ehs@ucanr.edu.
Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Brian Oatman
Risk & Safety Services Director