NEW YORK (Reuters) – U.S. companies have actually cooled to the idea of screening employees for possible immunity to the coronavirus as they prepare to resume factories and other work environments.
FILE PHOTO: Shalonda Williams-Hampton, 32, has her blood taken by Northwell Health medical employees for the antibody tests that discover whether a person has established immunity to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the First Baptist Cathedral of Westbury in Westbury, New York City, U.S., May 13,2020 REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton
Blood tests that check for antibodies to the brand-new coronavirus have actually been touted by governments and some illness experts as a way to determine individuals who are less likely to fall ill or contaminate others. Italian car manufacturer Ferrari NV has made antibody testing main to its “Back on Track” project to restarting factories.
But numerous U.S. companies are not preparing to use them, depending on face masks, temperature checks, social distancing, and diagnostic tests for those with signs, employers and healthcare specialists told Reuters.
Mercer, which encourages companies on healthcare benefits, has actually surveyed more than 700 U.S. employers in industries from high tech to retail to energy, and discovered 8%of business said they would include antibody tests in plans to screen staff members.
Interest in antibody tests from companies has actually fallen in current weeks as reports have recommended that it is too early to conclude that antibodies to the new coronavirus translate into immunity. The American Medical Association cautioned on Thursday that these tests do not figure out a person’s immunity.
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