COVID-19 Resources for Employers

We have entered into a new phase of the pandemic. With vaccinations, treatment and prevention strategies in place, we are at a time where we are learning to live with COVID. While CDC guidance is helpful on an individual level, employers are struggling to know how best to respond to the changing landscape. Even more complicated, there isn’t a one size fits all solution for employers. Some workplaces are office based, with people able to work separately or remotely. Manufacturing plants may have workers next to each other, who cannot effectively distance. And some workplaces may be congregate living situations, where people cannot mask and are constantly having ongoing exposure to co-workers.

Recognizing the rapid changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and the wide variability in occupational environments, Maritime Blue, Discovery Health MD, and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation have come together to provide a framework to allow employers to assess their risk and ramp interventions up and down as necessary.

We hope you find these resources valuable and welcome feedback on how we can best serve your needs.

In addition, Washington State recently issued the following Guidance for Maritime Employers which we advise those in a commercial maritime setting to review.

Want updates straight from a doctor? Sign up for our bi-weekly COVID-19 update newsletter to hear directly from Dr. Ann Jarris, CEO of Discovery Health MD. If you sign up for the newsletter, you’ll also receive access to IHME’s COVID-19 dashboard tools. 

PREPAREDNESS

The first aspect of COVID response is to be prepared for any scenario that might arise. We finally have all the tools readily available to respond to COVID situations: vaccinations, PPE, treatments, and testing. Throughout the pandemic, these tools have been in scarce and hard to source, but supply chains have improved, and employers can readily access these resources.

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RESPONSE

Detecting cases is key. Employees should be self-screening daily for symptoms and testing if any symptoms arise.

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TREATMENT

There are now many options for people with COVID to obtain treatment. IV monoclonal antibodies and oral antivirals are now more widely available. These medications must be prescribed by a medical professional and are not for everyone. Positive employees should speak with their medical providers.
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RETURN TO WORK

Different worksites will have different thresholds for returning positive cases or close contact exposures at work. General CDC guidance is intended for the public and may not be applicable to a high-density or congregate living worksite. Employers should be aware of any federal, state or local guidance that applies to their specific industry.
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SCENARIOS

We’ve put together some example scenarios to help you think through how to handle the risks associated with COVID-19.

Read the scenarios
Guidance for Vessels
Guidance for Shore Facilities

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