Why The Delta Variant Matters to Your Organization

The health of your employees and customers is essential to your business. Having Delta Variant Procedures in place now can be the difference between remaining open for business or having to close your doors as positive Covid cases continue to spike.

According to a recent article by Harvard Business Review, the rapidly spreading Delta variant is forcing employers to rethink their strategies for handling the pandemic. You may need to consider policies such as encouraging or requiring employees to be vaccinated, deciding whether to hold off on having employees return to company facilities or continue to work remotely, rules for social distancing and mask-wearing at job sites, improving ventilation & air quality, testing, and communicating exposures. ₁

HOW PREPARED ARE YOU FOR THE DELTA VARIANT?

The spread of the highly contagious Delta variant of Covid-19 is causing infections and hospitalizations to climb again in Canada, even though our national vaccination rate is quite high as compared to other countries. Hopes that the pandemic would soon fade away have been dimmed by the spread of the variant, which appears to evade at least some of the immunity gained by past infection or even vaccination. And with low global vaccination rates, there are likely to be new variants that could be even more threatening. Consequently, we can expect sporadic cases and periodic outbreaks of Covid-19 in the months and even years ahead. Given this prospect, how can employers fulfill their difficult obligation to protect their workers, customers, and communities while also continuing to prosper and grow?

Be prepared with virus fighting disinfectants and equipment. Air purification systems such as Surgically Clean Air’s Jade Air Purifier and the Sterionizer Bipolar Ionization System have been proven to “clean the air” throughout entire buildings. Do you have a Delta Variant Procedure plan in place?

By continuing to be flexible, creative, and adaptive in our approach, we can continue to reduce the spread. Here are some broad measures you can employ:

ENCOURAGE VACCINATION

Both science and recent history have taught us that vaccination is the best way to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death from Covid-19, and globally, employers have overwhelmingly been encouraging their workers to get vaccinated.

VENTILATION IMPROVEMENTS & AIR PURIFIERS

Ventilation in a facility greatly impacts transmission, and increasing the amount of air that is exchanged indoors decreases the likelihood of infection. ₂  Improving ventilation doesn’t neccesarily require expensive renovations. Many businesses can add more air exchanges and improve the filtration on existing HVAC systems, such as the economical Sterionizer Bipolar Ionization System.

Air purifiers have been proven to greatly improve indoor air quality, removing particles and pollutants such as viruses, pollen, smoke, mold, bacteria and VOCs. The EPA states that air purifiers can help to reduce airborne contamination—including viruses—in an office or other small space. ₃

CLEANING AND DISINFECTING

Regular cleaning and sanitizing is necessary to protect against Covid-19 infection, and disinfection should be conducted on high-touch, high-traffic surfaces and workplaces with a known Covid-19 case. Using small-space misters or disinfecting wipes with either Vital Oxide or Benefect Decon-30 are quick and effective ways to reduce the spread in high traffic areas or places like public transit.

DECIDE WHEN TO RECOMMEND OR REQUIRE MASKS

Masks provide protection against both being infected with Covid-19 and infecting others. The BC CDC recommends that all unvaccinated people wear masks when indoors with others. ₄  Many districts continue to recommend mask-wearing even for vaccinated individuals, as it is still possible to carry and spread the virus to others, even though one has been fully vaccinated. Some employers restrict unvaccinated employees from entering certain areas like cafeterias or gyms, where mask-wearing is difficult.

REDUCE EXPOSURE THROUGH SOCIAL DISTANCING

Flexible schedules and remote work help foster social distancing. Employers can also use other techniques to encourage employees to maintain social distance in the workplace. If the capacity of a meeting room should only be six people, make sure there are only six chairs in it!

CONSIDER LOCAL TRANSMISSION RATES IN RETURN-TO-OFFICE DECISIONS

The risk of workplace Covid-19 transmission is closely related to the broader infection rates in the local community. Businesses can feel more comfortable about having their remote workers return to the office in communities where the current infection rates are low. However, in communities with higher infection rates (exceeding 50 per 100,000) the likelihood that an employee will bring Covid-19 into the workplace is high. Businesses can reduce the risk by delaying employees’ return or by keeping the number of employees down in the workplace through hybrid work and rotating schedules.

Common Questions About The Delta Variant:

HOW QUICKLY DOES THE DELTA VARIANT SPREAD?

Research has shown that the Delta variant spreads much more aggressively than earlier Covid-19 strains because of a higher viral load carried by infected individuals – 1000X times higher according to recent studies. Researchers suggest that the Delta variant is approximately 50% more transmissible than Alpha.  And Alpha is estimated to be 50% more contagious than earlier versions of the virus. Earlier in the outbreak, under certain conditions, an affected person might have infected two or three people. Now, with the Delta variant, that number could be as much as five to nine infections.

WHY IS THE DELTA VARIANT WORSE THAN EARLIER STRAINS?

The Delta variant is the most infectious variant of COVID-19 to emerge yet. Recent research about the symptoms suggest the Delta variant presents itself slightly differently. Common symptoms include headache, runny nose and a sore throat, more like an upper respiratory tract infection, with fewer symptoms like severe coughing, shortness of breath, and loss in taste or smell. The fast-spreading Delta variant has contributed to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Canada, and now makes up the majority of cases in our country. ₆

WHAT DOES DELTA MEAN FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE TOO YOUNG TO GET VACCINATED?

Currently in Canada, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is available to anyone over the age of twelve. Children who are not yet old enough to receive the vaccine can be protected by the adults around them being immunized, wearing masks and using social distancing strategies. Clinical trials are currently underway to determine the dosing, effectiveness, and safety of the vaccine in younger age groups. US national data showed an increase in pediatric cases during the first two weeks of July as cases increased nationally, pediatric cases represented over 40,000 of new cases over the same time period.

BESIDES GETTING VACCINATED, WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO PROTECT MYSELF AND OTHERS?

In addition to getting the vaccine, wearing a mask can protect yourself and others, particularly when indoors and unable to adhere to social distancing. Avoid crowds indoors, particularly when you are unable to remain 6 feet apart, and when in areas with poor ventilation. Wash your hands frequently, and use hand sanitizer Frequently disinfecting high touch surfaces is another helpful strategy. You can also monitor your own health and get tested if you show any signs of illness.

HOW ARE WE GOING TO MANAGE THE VARIANT ONCE CHILDREN ARE BACK TO SCHOOL? MOST OF THEM ARE NOT VACCINATED.

The experience of the previous school year has shown that opening schools for in-person learning generally does not significantly increase community transmission when mask-wearing and other safety measures are in place. Since the COVID-19 Delta variant has emerged that may increase the risk of transmission and result in broader infection. The US CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have issued updated guidance that involves layering protection to limit COVID-19 transmission. Both agencies agree that in-person learning is important and recommend vaccination as an important strategy for all who are eligible. The CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. In addition to vaccinations, the AAP recommends a layered approach including a recommendation that everyone older than age 2 wear masks, regardless of vaccination status. The AAP also supports the CDC’s recommendations for building ventilation, testing, quarantining, cleaning and disinfection in school buildings. ₅

Covid-19 has been a global tragedy and has impacted lives across the globe. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic is not going to end as abruptly as it began. Employers and their staff must continue to remain nimble and adaptive in how they manage it. As the local situation dictates, employers must remain watchful and utilize both existing and new procedures to keep employees, customers, and communities safe, while continuing to operate and thrive.

A sound cleaning and disinfecting program coupled with social distancing, mask wearing, and improved ventilation & air quality can reduce the risks associated with the spread of viruses. This is especially important today as the Delta variant spreads at a furious pace. Make sure you have a plan in place to address the risks in your workplace to help keep you, your employees, and your community healthy.

References

1. https://hbr.org/2021/07/the-delta-variant-how-companies-should-respond

2.  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/ventilation.html

3. https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/air-cleaners-hvac-filters-and-coronavirus-covid-19

4. http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/prevention-risks/masks

5. https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical-guidance/covid-19-planning-considerations-return-to-in-person-education-in-schools/

6. https://health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/epidemiological-summary-covid-19-cases.html#VOC