ICWUC



ICWUC Center's COVID-19 Outbreak BulletinProtecting Workers – August 21, 2020The COVID-19 outbreak is rampant even after the national shutdown and other preventative measures. The US cases amount to roughly 20%, while the country represents only 4% of the world population. Authorities report that cases and now hospitalizations in some areas of the United States are rising significantly, and in many areas, the healthcare system is at and exceeding capacity. Facial coverings, among other restrictions, including travel restrictions, are mandated in at least 29 states. The Center has posted on its website, several training materials for potentially at-risk workers in the USA, including healthcare workers, grocery workers, and first responders. As in all countries, there must be comprehensive infection control plans to test suspected cases, isolate confirmed cases, and perform accurate contact tracing investigations that have not changed with the evolving response efforts. Social distancing and facial coverings are the buzz words in 2020 and essential preventative measures. Protective protocols developed critical38100613410Total confirmed COVID-19 cases020000Total confirmed COVID-19 cases during the Ebola, MERS, SARS, and H1N1 crises for potentially exposed workers are vital in containing this illness, including consistent implementation of infection and exposure control plans, worker training, engineering controls, and maintaining supplies of personal protective equipment. -635-381000What we know: 1905021971020 million02000020 million3209290133985Africa00AfricaChildren spread the SARS CoV 2 virus and can become seriously ill from COVID-19.318135029210S. America00S. America-952528511515 million02000015 millionThere are safer settings, like being outside and away from other people.320929085725N. America020000N. America-952537401510 million02000010 million3209925534670Europe00EuropeEveryday face coverings reduce the amount of virus projected but aren’t blockades.476251866905 million0200005 million3209925281940Asia00AsiaPeople can test positive 10 days after recovery. -654055162551/5/2020 from New York Times00Graph from New York TimesCOVID-19 symptoms are not specific and include a fever, a dry cough, and 30% report shortness of breath. Older and those with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for a severe COVID-19 illness. However, diseases can make anyone sick regardless of their race, ethnicity, or age. If you are at increased risk for COVID-19 complications for any reason, you need to reduce your exposure risk.The virus appears to be easily transmissible through airborne droplets and aerosols created from coughs and even speech. There is evidence that COVID-19 may be transmissible through the oral/fecal route as well.SARS 2 CoV survives for different periods on different surfaces and even while suspended in the air.Social distancing and travel restrictions were slowing the infection curve in the US. As the limits are relaxed, it is apparent that the virus is spreading far more rapidly, especially in younger populations. The virus mutates very slowly as opposed to other illnesses leading to the hope of a vaccine soon.There is no vaccine, but extraordinary progress is evident and a vaccine likely after only one year of research.The consensus now is that germs on surfaces aren’t a primary transmission route for Covid-19.What we don't know:We don't know the actual case fatality rate. Scientists agree that COVID-19 is far more deadly than the flu. We don’t know for how long the immune response lasts or how strong it is.We don't know "exactly" how it's spread. The transmission can happen when people have apparent symptoms or when they don't have symptoms. For more see: African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans are more likely to die after contracting COVID-19.Nearly 20% of infected people feel prolonged signs of illness 2-3 weeks later – we don’t know why. Worker Protections:Workers need guidance and training to assess their risk of exposure. Those working as frontline healthcare (nurses, physicians, aides, etc.) are at risk, especially those who conduct triage of patients seeking treatment. Other workers in laboratories, environmental services, and respiratory therapy also have substantial exposure risk. Any work that requires significant and uncontrolled contact with the public should evaluate their potential exposure. The list is long: healthcare workers, EMS, firefighters, police, TSA, airplane cleaners, flight attendants, meatpackers, homeless shelter workers, social workers, corrections officers, transportation, and home healthcare workers few. Now is the time for workers at high risk of exposure to review their infectious disease exposure control plans to ensure their exposure to COVID-19 and other droplet/airborne diseases is minimal. Ideally, most of those exposure control plans remained operational after the Ebola, H1N1, and MERS crises. Elements of those plans should include:Training and updates about the COVID-19 outbreak in all impacted countries must be provided, including cases in the USA. Training should consist of the essentials on this new coronavirus – transmission, symptoms, potential work-related exposure, protective measures to reduce or eliminate worker exposure, and opportunities to practice donning and doffing personal protective equipment.Engineering and administrative controls should be in place to protect workers. Also, there must be a guarantee of adequate PPE (especially N-95s) and fit testing for workers using respirators.Employers must ensure proper record-keeping of workers who suspect work-related exposure and infection, sick leave, treatment, and vaccination if one becomes available.Staffing must remain at adequate levels to handle the demand if a large-scale outbreak occurs in the US.We need to have available testing for the SARS-COV 2 virus, and the antibodies infected people produce. 3933190516255Reliable resources 2019-nCoV Overview for EMS Agencies?(IAFC)2019-nCoV Situation Overview?(CDC)Covid-19 Resources (AFL-CIO) Coronavirus disease (Government of Canada)Infection Control for Suspected 2019-nCoV Patients?(WHO)Master Question List for Covid-19- DHSGuidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 – OSHA Publication 3990 (OSHA)00Reliable resources 2019-nCoV Overview for EMS Agencies?(IAFC)2019-nCoV Situation Overview?(CDC)Covid-19 Resources (AFL-CIO) Coronavirus disease (Government of Canada)Infection Control for Suspected 2019-nCoV Patients?(WHO)Master Question List for Covid-19- DHSGuidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 – OSHA Publication 3990 (OSHA)Adherence to all relevant OSHA standards such as Hazard Communication, Personal Protective Equipment, Blood-borne pathogens, record keeping, and the California Aerosol Transmissible Diseases Standard gives everyone protective action guidance. The ICWUC consortium can provide training and detailed information for specific groups. To request more information, contact your union, and consult the ICWUC website, for updates and resources on this fast-moving viral spread.Myths - Do not believe these statements COVID-19 spreads on shoes.Prolonged use of masks causes CO2 intoxication.Alcohol consumption will protect me from COVID-19.Hot peppers will prevent COVID-19.Ingesting bleach will prevent COVID-19.Holding your breath for 10 seconds without coughing means you are free from COVID-19.Flies and mosquitos spread COVID-19.ICWUC Center for Worker Health and Safety Education329 Race Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 P: 513.621.8222 W: hsed. ................
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