Most States are providing tracking for COVID-19 via dashboards to help inform the public on current risk rates and guideline for reopening. Understand each state has their own guidance and measurements to make this assessment. The World Health Organization suggests a maintaining a test 7-day positivity rate below 5%.
Washington
In Washington, the Risk Assessment Dashboard maps statewide and county virus activity metrics. Key metrics were developed for five risk assessment areas: COVID-19 activity, testing, healthcare system readiness, case investigations and contact tracing, and the protection of populations at higher risk. The targets reflect recommendations from the Washington State Department of Health. The statewide test 7-day positivity rate is 3.2%.
Oregon
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) provides a series of dashboards including testing counts, hospital capacity, and public health indicators. In addition, an Indicators by County Dashboard shows how counties measure against six risk assessment areas: COVID-19 activity, testing, emergency room visitations for COVID-19, case investigations and contact tracing, and follow up within 24 hours. The statewide 7-day positivity rate is 6.5%.
California
The California Department of Public Heath’ Dashboard provides a tier rating for each county based on test positivity rate and average case rate. Tier 1 is high risk while Tier 4 is minimal risk. As of September 29th, 31% of counties are at Tier 1 with an average adjusted case rate (excludes state and federal inmates) over 7%. The statewide test 7-day positivity rate is 3.4%.It depends. For your employee to take leave under the FFCRA, you may require the employee to identify his or her symptoms and a date for a test or doctor’s appointment. You may not, however, require the employee to provide further documentation or similar certification which he or she sought a diagnosis or treatment from a health care provider for the employee to use paid sick leave for COVID-19 related symptoms. The minimal documentation required to take this leave is intentional so that employees with COVID-19 symptoms may take leave and slow the spread of COVID-19. [DOL]
Arizona
The Arizona Department of Health Services Data Dashboard measures Confirmed Cases, Hospitalization, Testing and Ventilator Usage. The vast percentage of cases are in Mariposa County (Phoenix/Mesa area). The statewide test 7-day positivity rate is 4%.
Idaho
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Dashboard measures total cases, testing, hospitalization and ventilator use. The statewide test 7-day positivity rate is 6.7%.
Nevada
The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Dashboard measures total cases, testing, and Intensive Care Unit admittance. One state which is different on this dashboard is the Daily Growth rate which lies at .5%. The statewide test 7-day positivity rate is 7.7%.
*This document simplifies complex information as it is understood by Time Equipment Company. It is not to be taken as legal advice. The guidelines are consistently changing. For further information, please visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
