The current predictions from state healthcare officials paint a stark picture of this coming winter--one where a resurgence in influenza cases, COVID-19 variants, and other respiratory viruses combine to overwhelm hospitals and doctors' offices.
Forecasting the Impact of the 2022-23 Cold and Flu Season
Analysis conducted by Lysol Pro Solutions and BlueDot predicts several challenges during the 2022-23 cold and flu season that include:
The return of severe influenza outbreaks combined with a resurgence of COVID-19 cases (due in part to a predicted increase in air travel and indoor social gatherings) and new surges in other respiratory pathogens, such as rhinovirus and RSV.
An increase in hospitalizations due to respiratory infection--predicted to stress healthcare facilities across the country.
Winter is upon us, which means people will gather indoors where their proximity will inadvertently contribute to the challenging-to-control spread of norovirus.
The Burden of Norovirus Infections
The norovirus is a seasonal infection possessing several unique characteristics:
It is the leading cause of gastroenteritis worldwide.
Several studies have demonstrated the direct connection between office cleanliness and workforce wellness, job satisfaction, and workplace productivity.
How a Sustainably Clean Workplace Affects Productivity
Sustainably clean workplaces have been shown to directly impact occupant health and cognitive functions, both of which are fundamental to high levels of workplace productivity.
Early data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Influenza Surveillance Report shows concerning trends in reported influenza infections, hospitalizations, and deaths.
October 2022 Influenza Surveillance Data
The current landscape of the U.S. cold and flu season appears troubling.
Throughout the pandemic and the steps required to entice a justifiably anxious workforce back to the office, we as a culture have developed a deeper understanding of the role commercial cleaning services has on occupant wellness and how that impacts an organization's operations.
Several studies have established a strong correlation between environmental cleanliness and workplace stress, concluding that the cleaner the workspace, the happier and more productive the employee.
The Relationship Between Workplace Cleanliness and Mental Health
Research suggests that, on average, U.S. workers will spend approximately 90 thousand hours in the workplace, translating to roughly one-third of their lives.
Organizational waste diversion and recycling practices can reduce the staggering volume of garbage dumped in U.S. landfills yearly.
The Growing Landfill Crisis
According to estimates, the U.S. produces more than 230 million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) and roughly 7.6 billion tons of industrial waste annually.
Proper cleaning, sanitizing, and consistent handwashing will prevent the spread of deadly foodborne illnesses.
The Burden of Foodborne Illness
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracks 31 pathogens and various unspecified agents known or believed to cause foodborne illnesses.
Saturday, October 15, 2022, marks the internationally recognized observance of Global Handwashing Day, where we are reminded that regularly washing our hands with soap and water can significantly arrest the transmission of germs and illness.
Unite for Universal Hand Hygiene
Global Handwashing Day serves three purposes:
Create a culture of handwashing with soap and water.
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