November 23, 2020

​

• With the dramatic rise in cases (that are anticipated to increase even further) pre-holiday season, today’s Recommendations for Industry discusses what businesses can do and what to remind employees of to mitigate the potential COVID-19 spread post-Thanksgiving (and during-holiday) season.

• Today, AstraZeneca (and Oxford University) has reported that the late-stage trials of its coronavirus vaccine has up to a 90% efficacy. This vaccine may be cheaper and easier to distribute than the other two promising vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna). TAG will discuss these vaccines, availability, and more on Wednesday! Keep an eye out!

• OSHA has released a one-page notice on the most common COVID-19 citations observed, “Lessons Learned: Frequently Cited Standards Related to COVID-19 Inspections”. 

• Hospitalizations from COVID-19 are rising quickly, even though this week is a huge travel week! The CDC recommends that due to to more than 1 million COVID-19 cases being reported in the U.S. over the last 7 days, the safest way to celebrate Thanksgiving is to celebrate at home with the people you live with. This will limit your chances of getting and/or spreading COVID-19 or the flu.

• The FDA has approved the EUA for administering casirivimab and imdevimab together for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 patients to reduce COVID-19-related hospitalization or emergency room visits. This combination is not authorized for patients who are hospitalized due to COVID-19 or require oxygen therapy due to COVID-19 (as it can lead to worse clinical outcomes).

• Recent research from Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government finds that within the U.S., states that imposed few restrictions now have the worst outbreaks. TAG will discuss this further on Wednesday (and include it in our U.S. Risk Matrix).

• Whether caused by a keener focus on sanitation and food safety – or, as postulated by FSN, a diversion of public health professionals to the pandemic or ill people not seeking medical attention and testing in possible food-poisoning cases – 2020 has seen a definite reduction in outbreaks compared to recent years. With the release of the recent CDC MMWR surveillance report of 2016 outbreaks, there are many similarities between outbreaks then and outbreaks in 2020. What can the food industry learn from these studies? How can these studies and trends provide insight into food safety gaps and the future development of applicable prevention and control strategies? Read more on our blog.

• In Case You Missed It:

  • On Friday, we discussed Potential Strategies for Testing and Exiting Quarantine as Increasing COVID-19 Close-Contacts Continue to Impact the Critical Workforce. Read more here.

  • A recent pre-print, titled “Optimal COVID-19 quarantine and testing strategies,” used data and modeled the optimal timing of testing during quarantine to reduce the probability of post-quarantine transmission. 

  • The “COVID-19 Symptoms Comparison Chart” is now downloadable at our COVID-19 Resources page.

  • The FDA has authorized the first COVID-19 test for self-testing at home. TAG has quickly investigated the Lucira COVID-19 All-In-One Test Kit. While the test is currently unavailable, it “will initially only be available on a limited basis in point of care settings and healthcare networks that prescribe the test for patients to use at home”. The anticipated cost of the test is: ~$50.

  • This winter season, protect yourself and your family from fraudulent flu or antiviral products. Like with COVID-19, there are no legally marketed over-the-counter drugs to prevent to prevent, mitigate, treat, or cure the flu. The FDA advises that the flu vaccine is the best prevention against the influenza and its serious complications.