Hi everyone. Today is Friday, June 5th. (Click here for podcast.)
We’ve had one additional positive case of COVID-19 since my last podcast on Friday, May 29th. The individual works in department 921 in the High Bay building at Quonset Point. Their last day of work was April 29th, and they were tested on May 20th. Our total number of positive cases since the pandemic began is 48, with 44 employees returned to work.
Today I’d like to give you an update about our ongoing COVID-19 testing efforts. Our goal with testing from the beginning has been to provide you with health information that we hoped would be useful to you, and help us, as a company, ensure our collective safety.
As you know, we’ve been conducting three types of testing – antigen, antibody and temperature screening. The antigen test is the nasal swab that determines whether a person has active COVID-19 virus. As Dr. Hurley mentioned last week, the antigen test is considered quite accurate by the medical community. The antibody test is the blood prick screening designed to indicate whether someone has developed antibodies for COVID. If someone screens positive for antibodies using this tool, we follow-up with a confirmatory blood draw, which is the gold standard for confirming antibodies. The FLIR thermal screening we’ve been piloting this week in Groton quickly identifies whether someone has an elevated temperature. Anyone flagging a temperature higher than 100.4 by the FLIR camera is further screened by our medical staff to determine if they are at risk for COVID. While a few folks exceeded the temperature threshold using the FLIR camera, no one had an actual fever, which is great news.
So overall, up to this point, between Groton and Quonset Point, we’ve tested approximately 7,200 employees with a combination of these tools.
We find ourselves in the midst of a rapidly changing environment when it comes to COVID-19 testing. The antibody screening tests are new and have varying degrees of effectiveness. To quickly ramp up testing throughout the country at the start of the pandemic, the FDA initially allowed medical device companies to bring antibody screening tests to market under what’s known as an Emergency Use Authorization.
The results we’ve seen from these antibody tests have not proved as useful as we had hoped. We first saw mixed results in the antibody tests used in Groton. Because of that, we procured tests from a different lab for our Quonset Point screening. Unfortunately, the tests from the second lab also had a high margin of error, with a large percentage of false positive results, based on follow-up blood testing. So in other words, while you may have screened positive using one of these antibody tests, the actual blood draw indicated you were, in fact, negative.
As we gear up to begin testing in New London on June 15th, we’re considering whether or not to try an antibody test from a third company or whether it makes more sense to offer employees the one test that we’re confident in: the antigen nasal swab. I’ll keep you posted on our decision as we get closer to the June 15th testing in New London.
I think the positive message we can all take from our testing results is that we’re doing the right things to keep COVID-19 in check, but we need to remain vigilant on the basics. It is our requirement that all employees wear a face covering while at work and maintain a safe distance of 6-feet or more from each other. Wash your hands with soap and water and use hand sanitizer. Above all, if you don’t feel well, please stay home.
Thanks for listening,
Kevin
Safety Update: Installation of Speed Tables on Eastern Point Road
In an effort to increase safety at Electric Boat’s Groton shipyard, two speed tables are being installed across Eastern Point Road this week. The tables, a few inches tall and marked with yellow stripes, are designed to slow vehicle traffic in an area frequented by pedestrians. The first speed table crosses Eastern Point Road just...Continue reading→
EB firefighters recognized for life-saving rescues
Five members of the Electric Boat Fire Department in Groton were recognized for perilous, life-saving rescues during a pair of multi-alarm fires that engulfed apartments in Groton and New London in 2025. Firefighters Thomas Gugliotti, Arthur Keaten, Theodore Bartkoski, James Brady and Capt. Ryan Boulanger were each presented with Lifesaving Awards and the prestigious 2026...Continue reading→
The Barnacle: Parking Enforcement That Sticks
Meet the Barnacle, Electric Boat’s newest parking-enforcement tool that will begin deployment in the Groton shipyard starting Monday, June 15. As our enterprise continues to grow, we are dedicated to ensuring parking is safe, fair and accessible to all. The Barnacle is an immobilizing parking-enforcement device that attaches directly to a vehicle’s windshield using heavy-duty,...Continue reading→
Honoring the U.S. Army Birthday
June 14th marks the 251st Birthday of the United States Army, a moment to honor the enduring legacy, bravery, and sacrifice of those who have worn the Army uniform since 1775. As the oldest branch of the U.S. military, the Army has played a vital role in shaping our nation’s history and safeguarding its freedoms....Continue reading→
Rayha Report Ep. 20: 2026 EB Signing Days
Electric Boat held recent Signing Day ceremonies at Cranston West High School on May 21 and the Garde Arts Center in New London on May 28. EB President Mark Rayha spoke with students about their decision to join EB and educators who prepare their students for careers in shipbuilding. Click here to see the latest installment of the Rayha...Continue reading→
Save the Date: CT Health Fairs Kick Off June 9
A Message From Dan Vieira and Kathleen Heller At EB, Safety and Wellness go far beyond meeting basic compliance standards. Our focus is on building a culture where employees can thrive in every aspect of their lives. Prioritizing wellbeing is vital to being our best on the job and at home with our families. ...Continue reading→
Supporting Our Neighbors Impacted by The Ledges Apartments Fire
Early Sunday morning, a devastating fire occurred at The Ledges Apartments in Groton. Eighteen fire departments, including Electric Boat’s, responded. Thanks to the heroism of these first responders no residents were injured. The fire did, however, displace more than approximately 50 residents and destroyed or damaged 44 units in the building. Several EB employees were...Continue reading→
Pride Month Celebrations at Electric Boat
June 1st marks the start of Pride Month, a time for millions of LGBTQ+ individuals and allies around the world to come together in celebration and reflection. From film festivals and art shows, to marches and concerts, Pride is a vibrant tribute to LGBTQ+ culture, history and the relentless spirit of activism. It’s a chance...Continue reading→
Celebrating Our Next Generation of Shipbuilders
The Next Generation of Shipbuilders Takes the Stage Over the past two weeks, Electric Boat welcomed the next generation of shipbuilders at our Rhode Island and Connecticut Signing Day celebrations, marking the beginning of a journey that will help shape the future of our company and our nation’s defense. Held at Cranston High School West...Continue reading→
Update: Gold Star Bridge Project – Upcoming Traffic Impacts
CT DOT is preparing to enter the next major phase of the Gold Star Memorial Bridge Rehabilitation Project, and employees should expect new traffic patterns that may affect travel to and from EB’s Groton and New London facilities. A crossover will direct two northbound lanes onto the southbound bridge, as shown in this CT DOT...Continue reading→
