Over the past several months, Opportunity Partners saw some confirmed cases of H1N1 (and some presumed cases of H1N1) among our clients and staff at several of our sites. As before, we will continue to monitor the situations at each of our sites and will send out more information as needed. Below is the information that was sent out to staff and clients in September. Please continue to follow the guidelines outlined below. Thank you!
September 21, 2009
In preparation for a potential H1N1 Influenza outbreak, Opportunity Partners will follow the guidelines and recommendations from the Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control in preventing the spread of H1N1 flu virus.
Additionally, Opportunity Partners has developed a pandemic preparedness plan that outlines policies and procedures relating to a flu outbreak, and measures we are taking to protect clients and staff and ensure that business operations can continue.
Influenza spreads when a person with the flu coughs or sneezes. You can help prevent the spread of influenza by taking the following important steps:
1. People should stay home if they have symptoms of the flu.
2. Wash hands often.
3. Keep hands away from nose, mouth, and eyes.
4. Cover your coughs and sneezes (cough into a tissue or your elbow).
5. Avoid sharing personal items.
6. People at high risk for complications from influenza should plan to take additional precautions.
7. Get vaccinated.
We are encouraging our employees and clients to practice good “'respiratory etiquette” by providing:
1. Education about covering coughs/sneezes, and easy access to tissues and trash cans.
2. Reminders about washing hands.
3. Easy access to running water and soap or disinfectant hand cleaners.
4. We have also increased our surface sanitizing schedule of common surfaces at our facilities (door handles, light switches, etc.)
5. We have installed touchless soap and towel dispensers at many of our sites.
Opportunity Partners will separate clients and staff who become sick at work from other individuals and will send them home if they display influenza-like symptoms. Individuals need to stay at home for 24 hours after they no longer have a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (chills, feel very warm, flushed appearance, or are sweating). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications. We appreciate your cooperation in helping prevent the spread of flu.
For more information on H1N1, please visit
http://www.health.state.mn.us/ or
http://www.flu.gov/.
If you have questions, please contact the participant’s service planner at Opportunity Partners or call 952-938-5511 to request further assistance.
