ARE YOU WORRIED AND PREPARED FOR A SECOND WAVE OF COVID-19?

As countries worldwide are considering how and when to ease restrictions on VOVID-19,  some countries in Europe are seeing a resurgence in reported cases after successfully slowing outbreaks a few months ago. As a result, these countries have recently toughened up measures to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned Europe must prepare for a rise in daily COVID-19 deaths in October and November.

Will there be a second wave of COVID-19? History certainly warns us to be on guard and prepared. A second wave of the pandemic could be more disastrous than the first. Initially, healthcare systems were not prepared, nor medical information available. Also, history has shown that flu pandemic like swine flu had a second wave. Although no two viruses are the same, nor epidemics of infectious diseases behave precisely the same way, one thing is clear infectious diseases spread when an infected person comes into contact with people that that is not. As a result, social distancing and contact tracing control measures must be in place and maintained, and if mistakes are made in these control measures, the virus could spread rapidly all over again.

 

It’s not clear how long any immunity to COVID-19 lasts for those who had it once, nor if there are seasonal variations in which the virus can spread. Moreover, any early development of a vaccine would be a milestone in the eradication of the virus, but experts are concerned about the virus re-emerging during the winter season.

 

There are so many factors to consider in planning for a second wave. So what can you do?

 

 

Remember, risk management does not control the risk; it’s the action of people who implement the controls mitigate the risk.

 

To find out more, or if you need further assistance, please contact ARM – Associates: