WHAT IS NORMAL ANYWAY?
The President and his Coronavirus Task Force addressed the country yesterday (April 16, 2020) unveiling their plan for the return to NORMAL. The main criteria that must be met before embarking on any of the three steps is that the area (Community, City, County or State), must have been free of new COVID-19 cases for the previous 14 days. See https://www.whitehouse.gov/openingamerica/ for complete information on the report.
Proposed State or Regional Gating Criteria
Satisfy Before Proceeding to Phased Comeback
SYMPTOMS
Downward trajectory of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) reported within a 14-day period
AND
Downward trajectory of covid-like syndromic cases reported within a 14-day period
CASES
Downward trajectory of documented cases within a 14-day period
OR
Downward trajectory of positive tests as a percent of total tests within a 14-day period (flat or increasing volume of tests)
HOSPITALS
Treat all patients without crisis care
AND
Robust testing program in place for at-risk healthcare workers, including emerging antibody testing
After completion of each step, the above criteria must be re-met to insure no new virus infections have occurred. Some areas of the United States are ready for Phase 1 now, some areas, like New York/New Jersey, won’t be ready for phase 1 for some time to come. The very positive take-away from the President’s plan, is that “THE PLAN IS AFOOT”. Way to go America.
COMPLIANCE ASSOCIATES INC. of Redding Ca., stands ready to help.