The Future of Workplace Health

When Cambridge University partnered with Untap Health for a pilot project, they weren’t just adopting new technology—they were pioneering a new approach to community health. During the winter term, our system detected early signs of norovirus, RSV, influenza, and COVID-19 in the university’s wastewater.

This early detection allowed Cambridge to implement enhanced cleaning protocols, launch an awareness campaign, and place handwashing posters around campus, significantly reducing the spread of these winter bugs. By acting before the threats became visible, Cambridge University demonstrated the power of proactive health management.

Following an Untap Health pilot, Ascot Residential Homes told us how early-warning technologies could enhance infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, especially during challenging periods when viral infections may emerge quickly among residents and staff. The nature of viral infections makes it difficult to predict and control the spread, the management must take immediate, robust steps to minimise further impact.

“Having Untap Health’s advanced warning system in place gave us the confidence when residents and staff are well and bolstered our IPC measures if we were to ever experience a viral respiratory or gastroenteritis outbreak.” By enabling rapid detection and distinction between types of infections, Untap Health’s system can support care homes in making informed IPC decisions, allowing them to act proactively and minimise disruption.

In June 2021, Somerset House faced a unique challenge: safeguarding staff and visitors amid rising international traffic and unpredictable COVID-19 risks. Without access to reliable data, the museum relied on a patchwork of self-reported COVID-19 absences from staff and sporadic local news updates. Public health insights were hard to come by, leaving the museum’s team to make decisions based on incomplete information.

With Untap Health’s real-time viral monitoring, Somerset House transformed its approach. Our data-driven technology revealed a peak in the BA.4/BA.5 SARS-CoV-2 variant, empowering museum leaders to act swiftly. They adjusted cleaning schedules, reintroduced mask mandates, and proactively communicated with both staff and visitors, creating a safer environment for everyone.

Somerset House had no idea that teaming up with Untap Health would completely redefine safety for visitors and staff in a high-traffic cultural venue. This pilot didn’t just protect people; it underscored the value of real-time public health management in the heart of London. The success of this initiative caught the attention of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), which published Untap Health’s project in a Success Story.

In January 2021, R&M Electrical Group faced a crisis familiar to countless businesses: production delays were mounting, and COVID-19 was the culprit. Daily lateral flow tests for employees were in place, but the virus still managed to sneak through—and the impact on productivity was undeniable.

That’s where Untap Health came in. By analysing wastewater on-site, we could detect the virus even when daily testing missed it. Our data helped R&M identify an overlooked source: external visitors, specifically auditors, who were not subject to daily tests like the regular workforce. This insight gave R&M a crucial edge—they were able to implement additional protocols for visitors, closing a key gap in their defences.

By bridging the gap between onsite testing and wastewater insights, Untap Health not only allowed R&M to strengthen their defense but also regain control over production, keeping their team safer and their operations running smoothly. Untap Health not only enabled R&M to stay a step ahead of COVID-19—but also set a powerful example of how proactive health data can keep businesses protected and productive for industries worldwide.

In December 2021, Te-Tech Process Solutions faced a significant challenge with workplace absences due to COVID-19. To address this, Te-tech Process Solutions partnered with Untap Health to implement an early warning system for COVID-19 detection. After one employee showed symptoms, several others tested positive, highlighting how rapidly viruses can spread within the office. With Untap Health’s technology, COVID-19 was detected and the workplace was given the recommendation to carry out lateral flow testing.

By acting quickly and prioritising proactive health measures, Te-tech was able to take immediate action, significantly reducing employee absence and maintaining productivity. Adopting Untap Health’s novel system showed how early intervention can make a real difference in protecting workplace health and operations.