The emergence of Omicron has dramatically changed the COVID-19 landscape here in Australia and the world over.
As I write this, over 70,000 cases were announced in Australia with NSW looking to implement (long overdue) new restrictions as their hospital system buckles with over 2,000 hospitalisations.
To put that into context, it equates to just about every bed at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Royal Perth and Fiona Stanley Hospital full with COVID-19 patients – a very scary thought, especially when our hospitals are already at full capacity without COVID-19.
Fortunately, WA is in a different position and holds some natural advantages due to our borders, low density living, weather and most of all, low baseline case numbers and the opportunity to prepare. However, this time is rapidly running out and we need to be ready.
At Linear, we are fortunate to work with global COVID-19 vaccine/therapeutic companies, leading infectious disease experts and closely follow what is happening overseas. Based on this, I’d like to share data and strategies we are implementing, with the hope to provide ideas for other businesses to consider.
I cannot overstate the importance of vaccines and having a booster, which sees effectiveness against infection from Omicron increase from a lowly 34% after two Pfizer doses to 75% after three doses.
More importantly, vaccines are holding up even better in preventing serious illness and death. It is critical that businesses enforce vaccination requirements for both staff and patrons/customers, the potential cost of not doing it will far exceed the cost to implement it.
COVID is airborne and masks stop you from both contracting the virus and also from spreading it. This is even more important in light of many people having mild disease or being asymptomatic with Omicron.
This is critically important for industries interfacing with vulnerable populations such as childcare where kids under five are unable to receive vaccinations. Business needs to accept that masks will be needed for the foreseeable future and prepare for this, through stock levels, adjusted work processes and support for staff.
Airflow ventilation is critically important - if you can monitor CO2 levels and aim to keep these below 700-800ppm, through social distancing, open windows and use of fans. HEPA filters should be used where possible. An excellent resource is the independent OzSage website.
Severe business disruption has been reported across the UK, US and in NSW some industries are reporting anywhere from 20-50% of staff being furloughed due to having COVID-19 or being a close contact.
This is the reason reducing the rate of spread through vaccines and masks may well save many businesses, such that an active case doesn’t completely shut down your business.
I’d suggest scenario planning for staff shortages and supply chain disruption. Develop rosters that separate workforces and establish multi-functional teams where possible that can cover different functions should staff shortages occur, which is highly likely.
Rapid antigen testing will have a huge role to play and it's pleasing to see WA Health release restrictions on this.
In the UK and US, it has become almost normal for people to use rapid antigen testing prior to any socialisation. Supply is the current issue, however, and this should have been anticipated, given it was looking obvious these tests would be needed in Australia.
Moving forward, we need greater proactivity from government and engagement with business to pre-empt this situation, evident in the enormous challenge many pharmacies will face as they deal with people desperate to find these.
The final element that is often overlooked is mindset. Business leaders know how important our mindset is to performance. We need to accept that COVID-19 won’t simply go away or become endemic overnight, if at all.
Until we can get more vaccines and treatments to other parts of the globe, the threat of new immune escaping variants will persist beyond Omicron.
We can get through this. However,much like any successful strategy, we need to be bold, invest effort and discipline over multiple time horizons and bring our people along with us.
We will require the intermittent use of targeted public health measures (e.g., masking and testing) alongside innovative business practices. Importantly, it isn’t zero-sum between health and the economy. In fact, getting the right balance between the two is the best strategy.
From the government, greater engagement with the private sector and quicker decision-making will support business and government alike.
We need to further ramp up research into new vaccines and treatments. With several recent antiviral and antibody therapies showing great efficacy against COVID-19 illness, there is a pathway out of COVID-19. However, it will take months, if not years.
Until then, we need to face the COVID threat head on, listen to the science and put people’s health first, which will ensure the economy stays strong.
