COVID-19 UPDATE for Peabody City Council PEABODY HEALTH DEPARTMENT 4-9-2020
Cases worldwide, 4/8/20
Cases in US, 4/8/20 https://www.cdc.gov
Statewide testing data
Peabody cases, 4/9/20
COVID-19 – Cases by Gender - 4/6/20
COVID-19 – Age in years – 4/6/20
Peabody Hospitalizations – 4/6/20
Underlying Health Conditions – 4/6/20
COVID-19 – Deaths – 4/6/20
COVID-19 – Peabody Deaths – 4/6/20
Role of Peabody Board of Health Surveillance Receive reports of suspect, probable, confirmed cases of COVID-19. Identify contacts of cases. Collect and monitor data about community spread to inform decisions around social distancing measures. Monitoring individuals under isolation and quarantine Does not include asymptomatic individuals who are self-quarantining due to travel history. May include providing supports to ensure compliance with I/Q restrictions. Implement social distancing measures In collaboration with City decision-makers
Role of Peabody Board of Health, continued Public Information Provide timely and accurate information on status of pandemic Provide informational resources to families, businesses, institutions to prepare for and mitigate impact of disease Counteract inaccurate messages Consistency of messaging helps counteract fear and confusion Vaccination Once vaccine is available, PBOH will hold clinics PBOH will also serve as distribution site of vaccine for other health care providers
Contact tracing Infectious diseases reports sent to Public Health Nurse via MAVEN (Massachusetts Virtual Epidemiologic Network) Approximately 80 reportable diseases require follow up by LBOH Public Health Nurse contacts patient; monitors isolation; determines period of infectiousness; identifies close contacts. Public Health Nurse contacts close contacts; imposes quarantine. Public Health Nurse determines release from I/Q requirements. Public Health Nurse connects individuals with supports needed to successfully complete I/Q requirements.
Flattening the curve
Social distancing measures Measures to slow community transmission by limiting opportunities for person-to-person contact may prevent overload of health care systems and may slow down transmission in a community prior to availability of treatments. May include: Cancellation of mass gatherings Recommendations for telecommuting and tele-education Flexible scheduling to increase space between workers Modified service delivery protocols Social distancing measures are carefully considered, as they can have other significant impacts Loss of income, restricted access to food, health effects of social isolation, etc.
City of Peabody response – Pre-pandemic phase November and December 2019 – workshops for City departments on planning for Emerging Infectious Disease Emergency January 2020 – Tabletop exercise on Emergency Infectious Disease emergency attended by 8 City departments March 2020 Updated pandemic response plan Increased surveillance of infectious disease cases through MDPH’s MAVEN system Increased surveillance in public and private schools Enhanced cleaning protocols in public buildings Procurement of cleaning supplies and PPE Targeted communications to school communities, employees, businesses Posting of resources on city websites and social media City leaders in regular communication with state officials – MDPH, DOE Regional collaboration to promote consistent messaging and decision-making on implementation of social distancing measures Establishment of mechanisms for regular briefings for city departments, officials, and community Activation of incident command for emergency response Modification of first responder protocols Continuity of operations planning with City Departments
Continuity planning Plan to continue essential functions of department if illness or quarantines result in reduced staffing. Identify essential functions Identify other functions that can be deferred for a period of time Identify primary and backup staff for each essential function Identify cross-training and credentials needed to ensure continuity of essential functions Identify tasks that can be done remotely, or on a flexible schedule. What tools and data resources are needed to function remotely? Identify outside vendors who may be able to provide essential services; develop MOUs.
Pre-pandemic preparedness for businesses Cleaning protocols for the facility Signage and supplies to support good hygiene (soap, paper towels, tissues, disinfectants, etc.) Policies for telecommuting (what functions are eligible, what tools/data/etc need to be in place to make it work) Policies for domestic and international travel (when to postpone, procedures for returning to work) Policies for increasing social distancing (considerations for cancelling in-person meetings, adopting flexible staffing patterns, modifying customer interactions to reduce contact, etc). Sick leave policies that don’t penalize people for staying home (consider also those who need to provide care for a dependent)
City of Peabody response – Pandemic phase Recruitment and training of additional staff to support surveillance Modification of service delivery in City departments Provision of food services by School Department, Council on Aging, and community partners including Haven From Hunger and No Child Goes Hungry in Peabody Closure of public buildings Implementation of modified staffing structures (flex shifts, rotating staff) Established structures for communication R911 FaceBook Website Peabody Health Line (Virtual call center) in partnership with North Shore Community Action Programs and Medical Reserve Corps COVID Response Line Promotion of 211
City of Peabody response – Pandemic phase Closure of playgrounds and athletic courts Transition of staff to remote work Information sharing with first responders Consultation with employers re: employee exposures Consultation with businesses regarding applicability of essential business orders, and guidance on increasing social distancing Enforcement of business closures Guidance for general community and for family of long-term care residents
State and Local Orders (partial list) Statewide declaration of emergency 3-10-20 Local school closures 3-13-20 Statewide school closures 3-15-20 Statewide ban on restaurant on-site consumption 3-15-20 Local directive to food establishments 3-17-20 Local declarations of emergency: Mayor 3-17-20 Board of Health 3-20-20 Local order closing personal care businesses 3-20-20 Statewide order closing non-essential businesses 3-23-20 Local guidelines for construction 3-30-20 Statewide order prohibiting gatherings of 10 or more, and stay at home advisory 3-31-20 Local order imposing moratorium on evictions 4-2-20 Statewide order for grocery stores 4-7-20 Local order for essential retail establishments 4-7-20
Decisions around re-opening virus-four-benchmarks-reopening.html https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/06/upshot/corona Key criteria to be in place include: 1. Sufficient health care system capacity to handle surge 2. Adequate testing resources to test anyone who needs it 3. Adequate public health infrastructure to continue contact tracing and oversee isolation and quarantine requirements 4. There must be a sustained reduction in cases for at least 14 days. (5). Serological testing to identify individuals with antibodies and who may have immunity.
The days ahead…. This situation continues to evolve rapidly Need for community support services is increasing as more people are complying with stay-at-home requirements. City leaders and departments are working together and in concert with regional and state leaders and community-based agencies and businesses to provide essential services as best as possible while prioritizing the safety of the workforce. Information is one of the most powerful tools we have to fight the spread of this disease. Promote credible sources and help discourage the spread of misinformation. Continue to model appropriate social distancing behaviors. Even after this critical phase of emergency has passed, Health Department will be in engaged in COVID response as its top priority for the foreseeable future, with ongoing enhanced surveillance and hopefully delivery of vaccine.
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