Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Courtesy of AGC of America
Background
Reports surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) have caused concern among AGC members and the general public. As of March 3, 2020, fewer than 90,000 people worldwide have been diagnosed with COVID-19 with slightly more than 100 in the United States. While those numbers are sure to rise, keep in mind that this flu season the USA alone has seen over 32 million people come down with the flu and over 18,000 of them have died. There is no telling if the coronavirus will reach or exceed those levels, but it currently has a long way to go. Much like the flu, we can all take positive steps to prepare. AGC has assembled general guidance and links to information from our federal agency partners and health organizations. AGC will continue to monitor the situation and update the information on this page accordingly.
What is COVID-19?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and now with this new virus (named SARS-CoV-2). The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person in China and some limited person-to-person transmission has been reported in countries outside China, including the United States. However, respiratory illnesses like seasonal flu, are currently widespread in many US communities.
Symptoms of COVID-19
Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
- Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure*:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
*This is based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses.
Call your healthcare professional if you develop symptoms, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19(link is external).
What Should Employers Do?
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraging businesses to begin preparations for the spread of the Coronavirus in the United States. In order to assist you in these preparations, you are encouraged to take the following steps:
- Educate your employees
- What You Need to Know About the Coronavirus
- What To Do When You Are Sick
- Hygiene and health is key - Practicing standard sanitation and hygiene regimens is a top priority.
- Encourage frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water Hand Washing Guidance.
- Hand sanitizer, with at least 60% alcohol content, is a secondary option.
- Remind everyone to keep noses and mouths covered when coughing or sneezing Coughing and Sneezing Etiquette.
- Avoid touching in and around the eyes, with unwashed hands.
- Everyone who has not yet had a flu shot should get one as soon as possible.
- Follow the CDC recommendations for employers:
- Employer Guidance: PREPARE NOW.
- Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette, and hand hygiene by all employees.
- Perform routine environmental cleaning.
- Update your absenteeism policy and communicate the requirements.
- Update your work from home policy and communicate the requirements.
- Planning Considerations
- Prepare for increased absenteeism
- Cross-train employees to handle other functions
- Encourage employees to develop contingency plans for child care in the event there are long term closures of schools and daycare centers
- Prepare for business interruption
- Identify alternative suppliers
- Prioritize certain customers
- Prepare to shut down certain functions
- Prepare for increased absenteeism
Additional Resources