November 13, 2020

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• In today’s Recommendations for Industry, we explore testing and When and What COVID Tests Facilities Should Conduct

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• In Case You Missed It:

  • In Monday’s Recommendations for Industry, we discussed if a vaccine is coming soon and what you should know in the meantime.

  • In Wednesday’s, we explored TAG’s U.S. Risk Matrix. Forty-four (44) states are in the Highest-Risk Quadrant. Twenty-four (24) states have a TPR greater than 10% and a case rate ≥25/100K people indicates testing may not be adequate to fully characterize the true severity of the outbreak in these states.

  • Last Friday’s discussed the similarities and differences between COVID-19, the flu, the common cold, and allergies in a chart form!

    • This will be available for online download soon. However, if you want a copy now, please email Lily Yang (lily.yang@achesongroup.com).

  • OSHA has released new infographic guidance for “COVID-19 Guidance on Ventilation in the Workplace” [English] [Spanish]. Much of this guidance is parallel to what TAG has previously discussed and encouraged.

  • A recent CDC MMWR highlights the protective measures of working from home rather than onsite. In fact, “adults who received positive test results for SARS-CoV-2 infection were more likely to report exclusively going to an office or school setting in the 2 weeks before illness onset.” This is compared to those who tested negative, even among those working in a profession outside of the critical infrastructure. These findings highlight the importance, even now, of “promot[ing] alternative work site options, such as teleworking, where possible, to reduce exposures to SARS-CoV-2. Where telework options are not feasible, worker safety measures should continue to be scaled up to reduce possible worksite exposures.”

  • The recent CDC highlight for “How to Protect Yourself & Others” highlights that “older adults and people who have certain underlying conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19 illness.” This emphasizes the crucial need to continue to practice good personal hygiene, avoid close contact, wearing a mask over your nose and mouth when around others, clean and disinfect, and monitor your health daily.

    • Additionally, protect your health by getting a flu vaccine!

    • For a quick reference to identify if you might have COVID-19, the flu, the cold, or allergies, check out our recent infographic.  

  • CDC has released new guidance for Celebrating Thanksgiving safely (to limit the spread of COVID-19 and the flu). As the holiday approaches, it is imperative to keep your business and workers safe.

    • Due to rising COVID-19 cases, the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year is to do so with people in your household. Consider hosting a virtual Thanksgiving for those who do not live with you! Or prepare traditional dishes and deliver the food to others in a way that does not involve contact with others.

    • If you are celebrating with others outside your household, take steps like wearing a mask, staying socially distant from others, and washing your hands.

    • Consider celebrating outdoors (if possible), or if celebrating indoors, make sure to open windows.

    • Limit the number of guests you have, as well as the number of food-preparation individuals.