Attachment A - CoP Infectious Disease Mitigation Policy.pdf
City of Phoenix — Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee (2023-06-07)
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Infectious Disease Mitigation Policy Approved by the Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee on Approved by the Head Start Birth to Five Policy Council on ATTACHMENT A 2 Table of Contents PURPOSE ....................................................................................................................................................... 3 SCOPE ............................................................................................................................................................ 3 UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS ........................................................................................................................... 4 Staying Home When Sick ................................................................................................................... 4 Handwashing......................................................................................................................................... 4 Respiratory Etiquette .......................................................................................................................... 5 Ventilation .............................................................................................................................................. 5 Cleaning and Disinfecting ................................................................................................................. 6 Vaccinations .......................................................................................................................................... 6 COMMUNITY LEVELS .................................................................................................................................... 7 HOME VISITATION ........................................................................................................................................ 7 RESOURCES ................................................................................................................................................... 8 3 PURPOSE The City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Program is committed to the health and safety of children, families, and staff, which has led to the development of this mitigation policy. The policy is intended to support and guide the Head Start Birth to Five Program to reduce the likelihood that infectious diseases, including COVID-19, will be transmitted in classrooms, during home visits, or in the workplace. While no precautions can eliminate the risk of disease transmission, the strategies and procedures included in the policy are intended to create a healthier environment and provide essential guidance to staff. The policy is subject to change, and as recommendations change, the policy will be updated to reflect the community’s needs. It should be noted that strategies and procedures incorporate, or in some instances, build upon ongoing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Maricopa County Department of Public Health, and the Health Services Advisory Committee. SCOPE This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, and contractors whose activities involve contact with or providing direct services to children and families enrolled in the City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Program. All individuals covered by this policy must follow the measures listed to reduce or lower the transmission of COVID-19 or other contagious diseases that create community spread. The evidence-based mitigation policy will enact multiple strategies, using a layered approach to minimize the impact of continuous diseases to protect the health of children, families, and staff. 4 UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS The following practices will be used daily to mitigate the spread of contagious diseases, including the virus that causes COVID-19. Staying Home When Sick Any person with symptoms of COVID-19 or other contagious infections, such as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea, should stay home. Testing is recommended for anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms. Staying home when sick can lower the exposure and infection rates of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Handwashing Washing hands is one of the best ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other contagious diseases. Germs can spread from person to person or surface to person when unwashed hands touch the eyes, nose, and mouth when eating, preparing food, and touching surfaces or objects. Hands should be washed at critical times to reduce the spread of germs. Before, during, and after preparing food Before and after eating Before and after caring for someone who is sick After using the toilet After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing After touching the garbage After playing outdoors Entering the classroom 5 Five Steps to Hand Washing Wet hands with clean, running water Apply soap and lather by rubbing hands together Scrub for at least 20 seconds – hum the “Happy Birthday” song Rinse hands under clean running water Dry hands with a clean paper towel Set times should be incorporated into the classroom daily routine for children to wash their hands. An adult should oversee the process to ensure children follow the five steps to passing effectively. Hand Sanitizer When soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. Sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs but are a form of prevention. Hand sanitizer should be used instead of soap and water in the classroom. Respiratory Etiquette Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue can help prevent spreading contagious respiratory infections such as COVID-19. When a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into the elbow. Teaching children how to cough properly and sneeze can be embedded in the health portion of lesson plans. Ventilation Ensure ventilation systems operate properly and provide acceptable indoor air quality for the current occupancy level of the space. Open windows, when possible, to increase the introduction of outdoor air. Use small air purifiers in personal spaces and larger purifiers for large gathering spaces. Education Service Providers and Child Care Partners are encouraged to use outdoor learning environments as much as possible, weather permitting. 6 Cleaning and Disinfecting Cleaning can be one of the first steps in reducing the spread of COVID-19 and other contagious diseases as it removes organic matter, salts, and visible soils, all of which interfere with microbial inactivation. Office Spaces A disinfecting spray or wipes should be used on all high-touch surfaces daily. Bathrooms should be cleaned twice per day at a minimum. Classrooms A disinfecting spray should be applied to all hard flat surfaces daily, after meals, extensive use, and when dirty. Soft surfaces such as carpets and fabric should be cleaned with steam. Stuffed animals, dramatic play clothing, and dolls should be cleaned with UV light daily. If a UV light system is unavailable, soft toys should be put away until a reliable source of cleaning is identified. Plastic or hard toys in children’s mouths should be put into a bin to be washed before another child plays with the toy. All Education Service Providers and Child Care Partners should have a cleaning plan in place that is monitored. Vaccinations Immunizations can help stop the spread of infectious diseases. Children and adults should be current on required immunizations based on the Arizona Immunization Program set by ADHS. 7 COMMUNITY LEVELS The City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Program will use the Maricopa County Health Department’s COVID-19 Data dashboard to assess the weekly levels of community spread. Based on the indicated level of spread, the following table will be used as a guide. Table 1.1 Low Medium High Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines Maintain ventilation improvements Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19 Follow CDC recommendations for isolation if you have suspected or confirmed COVID-19 Follow the CDC recommendations for what to do if you’re exposed to someone with COVID-19 If you are at high risk of getting very sick, talk with healthcare provider about additional prevention actions All of the items in the LOW category If you are at high risk for severe illness, wear a high-quality mask or respirator If you have household or social contact with someone at high risk for getting very sick, consider self- testing and wearing a high-quality mask when indoors with them All of the items in the LOW and MEDIUM category Wear a high-quality mask or respirator If you are at a high risk of getting very sick, consider avoiding non- essential indoor activities in public where you could be exposed. Education Service Providers, Child Care Partners, and the City of Phoenix will use their methods of communication to ensure children, parents, and staff are protected and following the suggested guidance. HOME VISITATION Early Head Start home visitors will follow the Home-Based COVID-19 Staff Guide, which outlines expectations before, during, and after the visit. Families will be provided the COVID-19 Home-Based Programming letter, which describes the safety practices to ensure the health and safety of the children, parents, and home visitors. See Appendix A. All home visitors are provided with personal protective equipment, including gloves, hand sanitizer, a wipeable mat to use during the visit, and a fanny pack for personal belongings. Home visitors are required to contact the family on the day of the visit to assess the health 8 of everyone in the home. The visit can be rescheduled or conducted virtually if a family member is ill. RESOURCES Center for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov Maricopa County Health Department, https://www.maricopa.gov/5302/Public-Health Arizona Department of Health Services, https://www.azdhs.gov/index.php COVID-19 Home-Based Programming Appendix A 9 The City of Phoenix Head Start Birth to Five Program is committed to providing safe and quality services during the COVID-19 pandemic. To protect families and staff, we have developed expectations and recommendations for program participation, including strategies and attendance requirements related to illness, symptoms, exposure, and quarantine. Our program has set the following expectations and recommendations for home-based programming: What You Can Expect from Birth to Five Staff During Home Visits and Socialization Health check at the beginning of each home visit. Complete COVID-19 screening with all families before visiting or socialization attendance. (please see COVID screening checklist) Teams will adjust socialization attendance and scheduling to reduce risk and encourage social distancing measures. All staff will practice good hygiene according to CDC guidelines, such as hand washing upon arrival and departure. All staff must wear facial coverings and booties. (shoe coverings). Use social distancing (6 ft) as much as possible. Clean and disinfect high-touch surface areas at the end of the visit. Appropriately clean and disinfect home visit materials and items used during a visit. Clean and disinfect high-touch surface areas before, during, and after socialization. Appropriately clean and disinfect socialization items used. Gloves will be worn during cleaning and disinfecting. Hands will be washed directly after. Remove masks and gloves carefully, using CDC-recommended practices and disposing at the family's home to reduce cross-contamination. Replace disposable face masks and shoe coverings between visits. What is Expected and Recommended for Early Head Start Families During Home Visits and Socialization It is expected to inform your home visitor or home visitor supervisor if you or anyone in your household have symptoms or have been exposed to anyone who has tested positive 10 for COVID-19. This may result in rescheduling your in-person visit or not attending the socialization. Virtual visitation may be scheduled instead. Anyone 2 years and older are asked to wear (a child under age two should not wear a face mask) a facial covering during the visit and attendance at socialization. If you do not have a facial covering, one will be provided. Use social distancing (6 ft) as much as possible. The CDC recommends contact in well-ventilated areas to reduce exposure to COVID-19. If possible, we encourage home visits to be completed in well-ventilated areas by implementing strategies such as opening windows or doors safely or being outside as the weather permits. Before the home visitation, we recommend that all common high-touch surfaces, such as door handles, chairs, etc., be sprayed or wiped down with disinfectant. This includes toys and other materials used during the home visit. The home visitor will be limiting materials and toys brought into the home and will be relying on items available within your home as available. 11 COVID Screening Checklist If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with your assigned home visitor or home visitor supervisor.