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Key Points
Updated: September 4, 2020
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Today’s newsletter includes this week’s updated Risk Matrix, which was delayed due to the unavailability of data on which it is based. See the Matrix here.
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As the fall/winter season approaches for the Northern Hemisphere and allergy seasons begins in the Southern Hemisphere, in Today’s Recommendations for Industry, we discuss a Q&A on Is it Flu or COVID-19? And what should you do about ill employees during flu season? Read more here.
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The FDA has translated their consumer COVID-19 resources to an additional five languages (Simplified Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Hmong, and Somali). Materials are already in Spanish and English. Find these multilingual resources on their site!
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Globally, there are now over 26 million cases of COVID-19.
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On Wednesday, we discussed CDC’s clarification on COVID-19 testing for critical infrastructure establishments and FDA’s take on industry adherence to its employee health and food safety checklist – both of which were discussed on the joint CDC/FDA/OSHA webinar of September 1. We had technical difficulties with the site, on Wednesday. Please find the working link now.
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Is there – finally – a cause for optimism in the ongoing fight against COVID-19? With late summer bringing a drop in cases in some areas of the U.S., Dr. David Acheson sees a glimmer of hope – but we are not out of it yet by any means. Read more for a summary of the last COVID-19-focused FSMA Friday (done in partnership with SafetyChain).
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COVID-19 has certainly challenged the food industry – but the industry has answered in force. At the height of the pandemic (during Q2), a new Stericycle Insights Report found that the industry experienced the fewest food recalls due to bacterial contamination in more than a decade. With September being named both National Preparedness Month and National Food Safety Education Month, the report is extremely timely, especially with its added discussion on crisis response. It is a company’s response to any crisis that is critical to its business – a “crisis response must align with the degree of severity of a product recall”. While flexibility and agility have been essential in dealing with the unexpected issues of COVID-19, it has been the companies that invested in crisis preparedness and management before COVID-19 that have been able to best weather the pandemic. This report gives us lots to think on about how we can all be more prepared to handle crises. Read more here.
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New research finds that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased rates of depression throughout the US, especially in those who are already at increased risk (monetarily, health, etc.). To ensure employees and workers are being protective of themselves, it is just as important to communicate with them and ensure their mental well-being so they may be as protective of others at work!
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We will not have a post for Monday! Have a wonderful Labor Day Holiday!
Recommendations for Industry
Q&A: Is it Flu or COVID-19?
Q. Now that we are getting into flu season, should we adjust screening, quarantine, and return-to-work criteria to differentiate flu and COVID-19?
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A. As a quick answer, it would be best practices to exclude from work anyone who has the flu or COVID (as individuals would be ill, infective, and should not be allowed in the workplace). Unfortunately, however, the two have similar symptoms, which makes it difficult to differentiate between the two. There is also the potential that a person could have both illnesses at once.
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We recommend that anyone who is experiencing the symptoms of COVID [infographic here] or is confirmed with COVID be immediately sent home and self-isolate. It also is advised that potential close contacts be identified (those that would have been within 6 feet of the case for more than 10-15 minutes 48 hours before the employee became symptomatic) and asked to self-quarantine at home and contact their healthcare providers.
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Depending on the symptoms, you may want to recommend anyone with flu or COVID symptoms contact their healthcare provider before returning to work. As the season progresses, TAG will continue to provide recommendations for flu and COVID protections.02, 20
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Risk Matrix (Week of September 02, 2020)
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The average U.S. social index value increased to 27 this week, indicating that mobility in the U.S. has decreased.
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Ten (10) states (California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Kentucky, and Michigan) have reversed some of their re-opening policies, which vary by state. These states are indicated by an asterisk (*) in the matrix.
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Twelve (12) states (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Indiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Delaware, New Jersey, and Connecticut) are partially re-opening to varying levels. These states are indicated by a cross (†) in the matrix.
Eleven (11) states, compared to last week’s 10 states, have a TPR greater than 10% indicating they have inadequate testing and/or increasing case counts:
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South Dakota: 23%
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North Dakota: 19%
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Iowa: 18%
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Kansas: 16%
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Nevada, Alabama: 15%
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Missouri: 14%
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Florida, South Carolina, Idaho: 12%
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Texas: 11%
TAG provides Risk Matrix analysis on a weekly basis to assist clients in their business planning. By tracking trends, we are able to deliver predictive and in-depth analytics to help businesses determine where their states appear to be headed, where governors may be implementing travel bans/quarantines, whether the business should be reopening or may have to close back down, etc. For further clarification and specifications on specific states and impacts on your facilities and employee travel, give TAG a call today. We are here to help your business.
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Outbreak Updates
As of September 04, 2020 (10:02 ET), there are over 26,344,000 cases (>869,000 deaths) worldwide.
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Due to the increasing number of cases in the United States, TAG will move from reporting counts per country to focus on the United States, please see here for the data. For further information regarding worldwide numbers, please refer to John Hopkin University’s aggregate map.
Keep up to date with COVID-19:
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