Flu season is here and is expected to be more dangerous than the temporary reprieve we received in 2021. The good news is that many of the measures you have implemented to combat COVID-19 in your facility also work against the flu.
The flu virus and the coronavirus spread the same way in buildings. That means that social distancing, masking, and disinfecting measures you have implemented will help prevent an outbreak. Still it is important for facility managers to take steps to prepare for flu season this year. Below we will discuss the measures your building should implement to prepare for flu season during a pandemic.
This may not be feasible depending on the size of your building, but many health organizations will conduct flu shot clinics in your building. Many people do not get flu shots because they claim they do not have the time or they forget. Flu shot clinics will make it easy for them to get inoculated this season.
At the very least you should encourage your employees and building tenants to get the flu shot each year. It is one of the best tools to prevent an outbreak in your facility. And the flu is very dangerous to some, so you will be doing some public good.
Because the pandemic is still ongoing, you probably still have COVID safety precautions in place. Keep them for at least until flu season ends and consider making them a seasonal addition to your facility. This includes measures like:
Regular cleaning and disinfecting high traffic areas and touch-points throughout your facility is one of the best ways to help prevent communicable diseases from spreading. Hire a BSC that keeps its staff regularly updated on the latest recommendations from the CDC.
Your janitorial staff will need to be diligent and proactive before, during and after flu season concludes. They should have plenty of experience by now keeping buildings clean and open during the pandemic, so they should be able to easily handle the added difficulty of flu season.
People do need reminders about what to do if they should feel sick at home or in the workplace. Do not assume they know what to do, instead provide them with gentle reminders throughout flu season. They should go home immediately and then let their supervisor know that they are ill. Then they should get tested for COVID and the flu.
Your BSC should then be informed that you have a possible positive case in your facility. They will then take the proper steps to stem the outbreak and hopefully prevent further infections and illness.
Supply chain issues have made this step much harder this flu season. It is important that your bathrooms, sanitization stations, lobbies, and janitor’s closets are well stocked. That way there will be plenty of hand soap, sanitizer, and cleaning supplies to prevent the flu from contaminating your facility.
It is a good idea to schedule deep cleanings with your BSC before and during flu season and the pandemic. These should occur on weekends or holidays when people are out of the office. Deep cleanings are different from routine cleanings because they are more thorough, cover more areas, and take longer to complete.
Supreme Maintenance Organization has the experience and the knowledge to help your facility stay disinfected and open during the pandemic and flu season. Call them today to schedule your free consultation 800-717-4766.