The current crisis caused by the novel coronavirus and resulting COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us all how much we rely on essential service workers. Perhaps one of the most invisible but undeniably essential group of workers includes the individuals making sure our faucets are flowing with clean water and our waste is getting properly treated when we brush or flush.
Babcock Face Mask & Social Distancing Policy
On Friday the Riverside Board of Supervisors voted to rescind all of the county-wide stay-at-home orders that went into effect in early April and were in addition to Governor Newsom’s restrictions. This decision, which includes relaxing the County Health Officer’s required use of face coverings, will in no way change the requirements for proper PPE, facemasks, and social distancing at Babcock Labs.
The Path Out of Coronavirus Lockdown? Follow the Wastewater
As the United State passes the one million mark for documented cases of Covid-19, one of the most frustrating aspects of the current pandemic is that identification and extent of community outbreaks is tied to the number of test kits available. Due to inadequate test kit supplies, available testing has been limited to individuals already experiencing symptoms. This, in turn, has limited the number of identified cases to the number of kits. It is now suspected that in the California Bay Area, the virus may have been circulating in the population more than a month before health officials began looking for it (LA Times, April 11, 2020).
Finding a quick way to locate and identify disease outbreaks before they manifest in the community has researchers at several universities focusing their attention on a surprising yet familiar matrix—wastewater. Interest in the new field of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has gained traction and offers a promising way to identify coronavirus using wastewater. “WBE holds the promise of near real-time monitoring of disease outbreaks,” according to an April 23, 2020 news release from Arizona State University.
Guidelines on Potential COVID-19 Contaminated Sample Submission & Requirements for Face Masks
To protect the health of safety of both our staff and clients Babcock Laboratories is taking additional precautions regarding the receipt of sample(s) that may have been in contact with COVID-19. Effective immediately, we request our clients provide prior notice before delivering any sample(s) that have or are suspected to have been in contact with COVID-19. We require a minimum of two hours advance notice in order to provide ample time to prepare staff and the facility for receipt of the sample(s).
Changes to Sample Receiving Protocol & Cyanide Preservation Requirements Reminder
Updated Sample Receiving and Sample Collection Policy in Response to COVID-19
Babcock Laboratories’ testing services are essential to continuing to protect public health during this unprecedented time. We have never wavered from our commitment to safeguarding our community, and as such the safety of our clients and our dedicated employee-owners is of the utmost importance. To continue critical testing operations while ensuring the safety of our clients and staff, we have implemented new protocol in response to COVID-19.