Weekly OSHGroup COVID-19 Report - 03/06/2020
CURRENT INFORMATION
Global number of cases reported – 6.37 Million with 380,000 deaths.
Recovery rates remain high, with 2.72 M cases classed as recovered.
The World Health Organization's declares the outbreak of COVID-19 as a Pandemic.
NEW - (3/6) Mental Health Impacts from Pandemic - New data from the US - see chart below (LINK). Our AltaCP team has seen this first hand, and is ready to assist clients with these challenges.
NEW - (3/6) WA Government COVID restrictions updated. Restrictions have been relaxed for some activities. (LINK) and intrastate travel restrictions updated.
(1/5) Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) - Household Impacts Report released (see below) - (LINK).
UPDATED - (1/5) WA Government announces research trial for COVID-19 with the Telethon Kids Institute (LINK). The DETECT trial is testing asymptomatic workers. For more information see (LINK)
(15/4) WA Police G2G Pass system for travel approvals (LINK).
(22/3) Australian Government – Strict actions implemented, WA, SA and NT borders closed, isolation required on arrival.
(18/3) DFAT Travel Alerts – All other countries - ‘Do not Travel’ .
SUPPORTING EMPLOYERS
OSHGroup has a specialist advisory team and contact screening service for Clients and Employers, to assess their personnel at risk or with concerns about the COVID-19 – Contact OSHGroup if assistance is required.
Contact the team via email - covid19@oshgroup.com.au
Key support services being offered are:
High risk worker screening.
Case management.
Workplace risk mitigation design and advice.
Mental health support services for teams and impacted workers.
Source: Statista (LINK)
CORONAVIRUS - BACKGROUND
COVID-19 is caused by a virus from the Coronavirus family. This family of viruses can cause various respiratory illnesses from the common cold to more severe diseases such as the SARS virus.
Until early January 2020 the virus was confined to China and was centered around Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
Mortality (Case-Fatality Rate “CFR”) is reported at 2.3%.
Research published (24/2/20) in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) shows CFR at 2.3% across 72,000 cases. (1)
CFR increases considerably among older patients, to 14.8% in patients 80 yrs+, and 8.0% in patients 70-79 yrs.
For those described as critically ill, the CFR was reported as 49.0%.
81% of reported cases examined, experienced mild symptoms only.
Some reports suggest that the global CFR is approximately 3.5%
GENERAL PREVENTION OF TRANSMISSION
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 infection. Everyday preventive actions are recommend to help prevent the spread, including:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Maintain social distancing.
Stay home when you are sick.
Practice cough and sneeze etiquette - Cover your cough or sneeze into your elbow or with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the bin.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Global Case Numbers
COVID-19 Cases - Country Comparisons
Australian Case Numbers
African Cases by Country
Africa Cases - Total
Source: Department of Health, States & Territories Report (LINK)
South America - Increasing Numbers
WA Regional Travel Permissions - From June 2020