IMA COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update - #32
The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association has been communicating directly with manufacturers across Illinois as the situation changes and will continue posting resources online at the IMA’s dedicated page www.ima-net.org/covid-19/ .
 
Daily COVID-19 Results
 
Governor JB Pritzker held his daily press conference and announced:
 
  1. There are 1,293 new cases of coronavirus in Illinois.
  2. There are a total of 677 deaths related to coronavirus in Illinois, including 81 additional deaths announced today.
  3. A total of 19,180 cases have been confirmed in at least 81 of the 102 counties.
  4. There have been 92,779 individuals tested for coronavirus in Illinois.

Press Conference Key Updates

New or critical items of note that were discussed today by the Governor:
 
  1. The focus of today's press conference was on mental health as the Governor announced that the Illinois Department of Human Services Mental Health Division has established an emotional support text line, called Call4Calm, that is free to all Illinoisans who are experiencing stress during this time. To take advantage of this service, text "TALK" to 5-5-2-0-2-0, or for Spanish text "HABLAR" to 5-5-2-0-2-0. Individuals can also text 5-5-2-0-2-0, with key words such as “unemployment” or “food” or “shelter” and will receive information on how navigate and access supports and services.
  2. The Governor also announce the creation of a new remote patient monitoring program that utilizes telehealth services, in partnership with OSF HealthCare and Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, to serve those who are potentially affected by coronavirus but can recover from the safety of their home. Health care workers will digitally connect with individuals and do daily virtual visits and send wellness kits of healthcare supplies.  
  3. To take advantage of the new remote patient monitoring program:
  • The OSF PHW teams are serving East Central and North Central Illinois communities include Peoria/Bloomington, Champaign/Urbana, Evergreen Park, Danville, Galesburg, Kewanee, Monmouth, Ottawa, Mendota, Streator, Pontiac and Rockford. The OSF Hotline number is 833-673-5669 and is available now. More information can be found at www.osfhealthcare.org.
  • The SIU SOM PHW program is serving West Central and Southern Illinois include Springfield, Quincy, Decatur, Carbondale, and Metro East communities. The SIU Hotline number is 217-545-5100 and will be available starting Monday. More information can be found at www.siumed.edu/phw.
  • The Northern Illinois region will be coming online soon.

Employer Resources & Programs

The IMA published a guide last week on the topics of Federal and State Grants, Unemployment Insurance, and Leave.

The IMA is continuing to offer weekly conference calls and webinars to update manufacturers and businesses about changing laws, rules, and regulations. To access previous webinars on a variety of COVID-19 related issues, such as, addressing FFCRA in the workplace and discovering how employers can take advantage of the CARES Act, please click here .
 
Question & Answer Section

The IMA has received numerous questions regarding employees who may have been exposed to the coronavirus and whether or not they can continue working. This subject is constantly changing, but one of the most common questions is:

Q. Are there guidelines for essential workers who may have been exposed to the coronavirus but do not show symptoms and may still be able to work?

A. Yes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new interim guidelines for essential workers to ensure continuity of essential functions such as manufacturing. The CDC guidance is designed to educate employers on when workers can return to work after having been exposed to the novel coronavirus. 

Specifically, the CDC states that a potential exposure means being a household contact or having close contact within 6 feet of an individual with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. The timeframe for having contact with an individual includes the period of time of 48 hours before the individual became symptomatic.

Critical Infrastructure workers who have had an exposure but remain asymptomatic should adhere to the following practices prior to and during their work shift:

  • Pre-Screen: Employers should measure the employee’s temperature and assess symptoms prior to them starting work. Ideally, temperature checks should happen before the individual enters the facility.
  • Regular Monitoring: As long as the employee doesn’t have a temperature or symptoms, they should self-monitor under the supervision of their employer’s occupational health program.
  • Wear a Mask: The employee should wear a face mask at all times while in the workplace for 14 days after last exposure. Employers can issue facemasks or can approve employees’ supplied cloth face coverings in the event of shortages.
  • Social Distance: The employee should maintain 6 feet and practice social distancing as work duties permit in the workplace.
  • Disinfect and Clean work spaces: Clean and disinfect all areas such as offices, bathrooms, common areas, shared electronic equipment routinely.

If the employee becomes sick during the day, they should be sent home immediately. Surfaces in their workspace should be  cleaned and disinfected . Information on persons who had contact with the ill employee during the time the employee had symptoms and 2 days prior to symptoms should be compiled. Others at the facility with close contact within 6 feet of the employee during this time would be considered exposed.
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Mark Denzler
President & CEO
Illinois Manufacturers' Association
Disclaimer : The information in this email is provided for general informational purposes only as a benefit of your membership in the Illinois Manufacturers' Association. No information contained in this email should be construed as legal advice from the IMA or the individual author, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.