REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
March 19, 2020
FROM: WILMA QUAN, City Manager
JIM SCHAAD, Assistant City Manager
Office of the Mayor & City Manager
BY: SCOTT MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - Staying implementation of City employee security protocols due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Subject to Mayor’s veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council stay the effective date for implementation of security screening for employees from March 26, 2020 to April 27, 2020, due to uncertainties of the effects of the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and concerns over the potential transmission of the disease during the employee and baggage screening process. The City Manager would thereafter have authority to extend the stay so long as the Governor’s State of Emergency related to COVID-19 remains in effect.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Employee screening is part of an overall program being implemented at City Hall to enhance safety. The Facilities Management Division will be ready to implement screening of employees and their baggage on the effective date of March 26, 2020. However, with the recent global spread of COVID-19 disease, there are concerns that the process of screening employees and their baggage, as well the time waiting to be screened in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet), may expose employees to additional transmission risk.
BACKGROUND
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and which has now been detected in almost 90 locations internationally, including in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”)
Per the CDC, the complete clinical picture with regard to COVID-19 is not fully known. Reported illnesses have ranged from very mild (including some with no reported symptoms) to severe, including illness resulting in death. While information so far suggests that most COVID-19 illness is mild, a report out of China suggests serious illness occurs in 16% of cases. Older people and people of all ages with severe underlying health conditions - like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, for example - seem to be at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing.
The CDC indicates that the disease is primarily spread between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Infection occurs through respiratory droplets produced by an infected person who coughs or sneezes. These droplets may land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or may possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Though people are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest), some spread might be possible before people show symptoms. There have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
The World Health Association (WHO) states that it is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems to behave like other coronaviruses. Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on COVID-19) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days and will vary dependent upon conditions.
The Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH) is the local controlling authority on all health related matters. The FCDPH is working closely with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the CDC to monitor COVID-19.
On March 7, 2020, the FCDPH confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in Fresno County. This is a travel related case and was not community acquired. Two travelers presented themselves for testing on March 6, 2020 after returning from a Grand Princess cruise. One (1) of these tests has returned as a presumptive positive case. The family of this individual is self-monitoring with FCPDH oversight at this time.
There is no immediate threat to the general public, and the FCDPH is not recommending cancellation of events, closure of schools, or buildings at this time. The FCDPH has plans in place to inform and protect all residents, limit exposures to any new cases if identified, and address concerns as they arise.
City staff has already initiated preventative procedures which include twice-daily wipe-down of public facing counters and doorknobs, daily disinfection of transit buses and more frequent use of sanitizing wipes and gels.
Based on the transmission of the disease through close contact (6 feet) to others, the likelihood that the virus may persist on surfaces, and the possibility of spread through infected people with no symptoms, staff recommends that that implementation of security screening for employees be delayed for a minimum of 30 days, with a new effective date of April 27, 2020. The City Manager shall have authority to extend the delay so long as the Governor’s State of Emergency related to COVID-19 remains in effect. Staff also recommends that the status of the COVID-19 disease spread be assessed prior to the new effective date to determine if an additional extension is merited.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This is not a “project” for the purposes of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
LOCAL PREFERENCE
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT
There will be no fiscal impact.
Attachment: Resolution