KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department has released details regarding public health guidance to reopen the workforce in Kalamazoo County.
Health officials say the guide is meant to aid industry leaders and community partners in their planning efforts to either reopen or expand current services amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“At the Health & Community Services Department our lens is always public health and how to protect the health and safety of all people within Kalamazoo County. Our goal with this guidance is to provide each industry, business and organization with that same public health lens as they evaluate what they need to do to safely reopen,” County Health Officer James Rutherford said. “We know there is a lot of information out there, but we felt it was important to let our partners know, from a public health perspective, what they should be considering and what they should expect from us at the Health & Community Services Department as we move to safely reopening our community.”
Officials add that this guidance is contingent upon the Governor’s Executive Orders, which will provide clarification as to when and in what order industries may open. Governor Whitmer announced the MI Safe Start Plan on May 7, which outlines her plan to re-engage the Michigan’s economy.
To begin with, the county guide outlines a “phased opening criteria,” which says that a reopening plan should be based on the following factors:
- A reduction in new cases over at least 14 days.
- Hospital attestation of being able to treat all patients without resorting to crisis standards of care (this includes adequate personal protective equipment, or PPE); and the ability to surge ICU capacity.
- Ability to test all people with symptoms for COVID-19 disease.
- Ability to protect the health and safety of workers in critical industries.
- Ability to protect the health and safety of those living and working in high-risk facilities (e.g., senior care facilities, homeless shelters).
- Local public health attestation of the adequate workforce capacity for case investigation and contact tracing.
- Health Monitoring guidance such as wearing of cloth face coverings, temperature checks, face shields, etc. needs to be established in a way that takes into consideration PPE supply shortages.
- Monitor conditions and immediately take steps to limit and mitigate any rebounds or outbreaks by restarting a phase of returning to an earlier phase, depending on severity.
Additionally, the guide provides the following procedures for area employers:
- Develop and implement appropriate policies, in accordance with Federal, State and local regulations and guidance, and stay informed about industry best practices regarding Social Distancing and PPE; temperature checks; testing, isolating and contact tracing; use and disinfection of common and high-traffic areas; and business travel.
- Monitor workforce for symptomatic employees. Do not allow symptomatic people to physically return to work until cleared by a medical provider.
- Develop and implement policies and procedures for workforce contact tracing following an employee or customer COVID-19 positive test result.
All individuals should continue to practice good hygiene, such as frequent hand washing, disinfect frequently used surfaces and items as much as possible, and wear face coverings in public, particularly when a social distancing measure of at least six feet cannot be maintained.
Anyone who believes they may be displaying symptoms should not go to work or school and contact a medical provider for further guidance.
The 89-page report can be viewed in its entirety online at this link.
As last reported by county data on Monday, May 11, there are 625 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Kalamazoo County, 92 hospitalizations and 35 total deaths.
The latest information about COVID-19 can be found online information at the CDC website and the Michigan state government COVID-19 response page.
Information specific to Kalamazoo County can be found at www.kalcounty.com/hcs/covid19.php.
