Covid-19 - OMM Digital Operational Plan

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Published: Wednesday, 11 March 2020 11:22

OMM Digital Business Continuity Management

Due Diligence Planning: Coronavirus Guidance

OMM Digital like other organisations must be prepared, plan effectively and explain to employees how they will respond in the event of an outbreak of Coronavirus.

The recent coronavirus outbreak once again puts public health and the safety of international travel in the spotlight. Here we highlight some key actions that we, at OMM Digital, can take to manage our employee’s health, safety and wellbeing: 


The UK Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) to share latest information and guidance on the coronavirus and how to stay healthy at work. Knowing the risks and taking precautions and preventative measures is a necessity.

WHO has put together important guidance for IOSH and healthcare professionals entitled, “Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak: rights, roles and responsibilities of health workers, including key considerations for occupational safety and health”. It is thus important for OMM Digital to support their staff during outbreaks such as coronavirus and do their best to ensure precautions are taken to prevent exposure.

Organisations are advised to be prepared and plan effectively. They should also be transparent and explain to employees how they will respond in the event of an outbreak. Good personal hygiene, such as frequent hand-washing, can help to prevent the spread of pathogens such as coronavirus

IOSH has recently shared guidance on how to protect travelling employees and how organisations can manage risk. These translate effectively for OMM Digital  staff as:

  1. To effectively manage travel risk we need to ensure we have proportionate and robust policies, procedures and controls in place.
  1. We need to communicate information to all staff and give instruction and training as appropriate.
  1. We need to consider whether travel is absolutely necessary. For most staff this is likely to include travel to and from work, but for our drivers or engineering staff it will mean travel into London and possibly mixing with a large number of people.
  1. For sales or allied meetings, OMM Digital may consider if the same result can be achieved with video conferencing which would spare the organisation and staff member the risk, time, cost and environmental impact.
  1. Although foreign travel is not a normal requirement for OMM Digital personnel, staff and family holidays may be, especially with Easter approaching. Situations such as the coronavirus outbreak in China, Italy and Tenerife can change rapidly, potentially leaving travellers stranded or quarantined. It is therefore important for OMM Digital staff to make ‘fly/no fly’ decisions based on best available guidance and in accordance government travel advice.
  1. If travel is deemed necessary, we need staff to effectively but proportionately manage the risk, with controls identified and implemented which reflect the nature and severity of the risk. Such controls should be identified through a travel risk assessment incorporating not only the travel, accommodation and holiday itself but also the physical and mental capabilities of the staff member and family.
  1. OMM Digital senior management may need to know where staff are and where they are going in order to offer help, should it be necessary. It may be considered advisable for travel arrangements and the travel company details to be available to company seniors, should staff become involved in an incident or emergency situation.

 

Risk level

Based on the World Health Organization’s declaration that this is a public health emergency of international concern, the UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the public from low to moderate.

This permits the government to plan for all eventualities. The risk to individuals remains low.

We have been working in close collaboration with international colleagues and the World Health Organization to monitor the situation in China and around the world.

Health protection regulations

On 10 February, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, announced strengthened legal powers to protect public health.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 have been put in place to reduce the risk of further human-to-human transmission in this country by keeping individuals in isolation where public health professionals believe there is a reasonable risk an individual may have the virus.

Information about the virus

A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China.

Diagnosis and analysis

Based on current evidence, novel coronavirus (COVID-19) presents with flu-like symptoms including a fever, a cough, or difficulty breathing. The current evidence is that most cases appear to be mild. Those who have died in globally appear to have had pre-existing health conditions.

The UK is now one of the first countries outside China to have a prototype specific laboratory test for this new disease. Healthcare professionals who are contacted by a patient with symptoms following travel to one of the countries affected by an outbreak have been advised to submit samples to PHE (Public Health England) for testing. Individuals should be treated in isolation

After the experience of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003, PHE developed a series of diagnostic tests to detect any member of the family of coronaviruses. These have been used for several years, and were able to detect the first UK case of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in 2012.

With the first reported publication of the genome sequence of a 2019 novel coronavirus, PHE was able to rapidly develop further specific tests for this virus, working with WHO and global network of laboratories.

When a clinician suspects novel coronavirus (COVID-19), they take samples from the nose, throat and deeper respiratory samples, package and send them safely to PHE Colindale. PHE can provide a laboratory result from this specific virus on the same working day.


PHE also has the capability to sequence the viral genome and compare this to published sequences from China, if a case occurs. This will provide valuable information on any mutations in the virus over time and allow an improved understanding of how it spreads.

What's the risk of catching coronavirus in the UK?

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways.

The UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the public from low to moderate. But the risk to individuals remains low.

Health professionals are working to contact anyone who has been in close contact with people who have coronavirus.

Symptoms of coronavirus

The symptoms of coronavirus are:

  • a cough
  • a high temperature
  • shortness of breath

But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness.

The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.

How coronavirus is spread

Because it's a new illness, we do not know exactly how coronavirus spreads from person to person.

Similar viruses are spread in cough droplets.

It's very unlikely it can be spread through things like packages or food. Viruses like coronavirus cannot live outside the body for very long.

How to avoid catching or spreading germs

There are things you can do to help stop viruses like coronavirus spreading.

  • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
  • put used tissues in the bin immediately
  • wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
  • Avoid touching your face, eyes and mouth if your hands are not clean.



Do I need to avoid public places?

Most people can continue to go to work, school and other public places.

You only need to self-isolate if you have been to the following countries/regions:

  • Wuhan City and Hubei Provence, China
  • Iran
  • Daegu or Cheongdo, Republic of Korea
  • Any Italian town under containment measures

If you have returned from any of the following countries AND are experiencing cold/flu like systems the advice is to self-isolate and contact NHS 111

  • Cambodia
  • China (non-affected regions)
  • Hong Kong
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Laos
  • Macau
  • Malaysia
  • Myanmar
  • Republic of Korea (non-affected regions)
  • Singapore
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam

(Information from Public Health England correct as of 6th March 2020)

 

Treatment for coronavirus

 

  • There is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus.
  • Antibiotics do not help, as they do not work against viruses.
  • Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the illness.
  • You'll need to stay in isolation away from other people until you've recovered.