Earlier this month, the U.S. Government released a new COVID-19 preparedness plan for protecting Americans against the SARS-COV-2 virus and its variants.
In 96-pages, the National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan lays out a strategy for protection, prevention, treatment, and preparedness. It also provides guidance for reopening schools and moving the economy forward, as vaccinations and testing increase.
National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan
The National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan lays out four main goals for dealing with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government also details ways in which schools, business owners, and public buildings can access technical and financial support.
The four key goals of the new National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan are:
- Protection and Treatment
The plan stresses the need for testing and increasing the vaccination rates, even as the number of vaccinated citizens surpassed the 215 million mark.
- Preparing for New Variants
The plan acknowledges the likelihood of new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. By collecting, sharing, and analyzing data, the federal government can better understand and monitor these variants.
- Preventing Shut Downs
Through a combination of funding and increasing vaccination rates, the government will work to keep schools and businesses open, in order to prevent another economic shutdown.
- Leading the World in Vaccination Efforts
The United States of America has a goal of leading the world in vaccinations. Toward this end, the US has committed to providing 1.2 billion doses of vaccine to other countries at no charge.
The COVID-19 preparedness plan tackles air quality
The new COVID-19 preparedness plan also recognizes the importance of maintaining safe indoor air quality
For facilities managers, the new COVID-19 preparedness plan also recognizes the importance of maintaining safe indoor air quality (IAQ). Towards this goal, the U.S. Government will provide a Clean Air in Buildings Checklist. This comprehensive list helps buildings improve air filtration and ventilation.
It also provides technical assistance to schools on the state and local level, as well as for tribal governments. This is, in addition, to the funds already available through the American Rescue Plan, which is essential for schools with outdated HVAC systems.
The plan also includes an update to the OSHA’s workplace guidance with the goal of giving employers more tools for ensuring worker safety. This includes support for vaccinations, high-quality masks to protect immunocompromised workers as well as improving ventilation.
Enhancing ventilation to counter aerosol spread of viruses
Effective ventilation reduces the aerosol spread of viruses. Therefore, improvements to ventilation can lower the risk of the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Ventilation strategies work towards this goal of lower transmission.
The Clean Air in Buildings Challenge included in the new COVID-19 preparedness plan calls for building managers and business owners to improve ventilation and air filtration.
Visual inspections and sample testing
Due to Pure Air Control Services’ nearly forty years of experience in helping facilities managers maintain healthy indoor building conditions, this is an area the company excels in.
The first step towards meeting the IAQ (indoor air quality) goals of the new COVID-19 preparedness plan is the HVAC Hygiene Assessment. This process gauges the impact of the HVAC system on the indoor air quality. It includes visual inspections and sample testing. The EDLab assesses these samples, in order to determine the presence of fungi, bacteria, and viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2.
Cleaning and Disinfection
Cleaning and disinfection of HVAC systems and components provide another way to create healthy IAQ
Cleaning and disinfection of HVAC systems and components provide another way to create healthy indoor air quality (IAQ). For example, Pure Air Control’s HVAC coil cleaning system tackles dirt and debris in the coil and air handling.
Using high-pressure steam heated to temperatures up to 350° F, PURE-Steam pushes particles through the coil, after which they get removed with a HEPA vacuum. This method, certified by the Green Clean Institute, restores the AHU (Air Handing Unit) to near factory specifications.
PURE-Duct and PURE-Decon system
Another effective tool in the fight against virus spread is the company’s hygiene duct cleaning. PURE-Duct disinfects interior spaces, as well as the air conveyance ductwork. Using EPA-registered disinfectants, this method breaks up debris deep within the system and removes it with an industrial-strength vacuum system, equipped with a HEPA filter.
Additionally, the PURE-Decon system removes 99.9 percent of microbes and pathogens, using electrostatic DEP sprayers and misters. This method coats surface areas, where traditional sprays do not reach.
Monitoring Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
A building is only as safe as current environmental conditions allow. Therefore, 24/7 monitoring of temperature, relative humidity, total volatile organic compounds, CO2, and other gasses helps maintain safe indoor environmental conditions. As a result, using data provided in real time, a remote team in the EDLab can react to potential problems as they occur.
Pure Air Control Services provides expert assistance to help businesses, schools, and government institutions improve IAQ. They assist them in preparing and executing HVAC strategies, so as to meet the goals of the new COVID-19 preparedness plan.