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To:
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Chemical Industry Council of Illinois (CICI) Members
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From:
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Mark Biel, Chief Executive Officer
[email protected] or 217/522-5805
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Re:
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update – 16,422 Confirmed Cases, 528 Deaths; CDC/CSIA – Update on Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers; OSHA Update on Worker Exposure; FMCS Extends Emergency Declaration; CICI Members Continue Answering the Call to Combat COVID-19; Plastic Bans Lifted in Response to COVID-19
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The Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) is now reporting a total of 528 deaths, an increase of 66 deaths since yesterday but 16 fewer daily deaths than reported on Wednesday. There are currently 16,422 positive cases of COVID-19 in Illinois, which is only an increase of 1,344 new cases, which is 185 fewer cases than yesterday.In total, 80,856 people have now been tested in Illinois for the virus, which is only an increase of 5,790 from yesterday. Of those people tested, 20% of the results are positive for COVID-19.
At his daily press briefing, Governor Pritzker said that while the state is not yet at its peak, the level of increase in the number of deaths as compared to positive cases are not exponential and appear to be slowing.
You can check where these cases are occurring at the State of Illinois COVID-19 website which also contains more information on this outbreak. Also, IDPH has a case breakdown of the number of positive cases in Chicago and each county relative to the number of fatalities. The IDPH website also now includes a breakdown of the cases under each zip code in the state. In addition, Western Illinois University has an put together this Map of COVID-19 Cases in Illinois & Surrounding States which gives you picture of where COVID-19 cases are occurring in relation to areas surrounding Illinois.
Worldometer also has a site with pertinent statistics on a state by state breakdown and comparison. Also, the City of Chicago has a good categorization of the cases within the city.
Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has an update regarding the continued health, safety, and protection of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers who may have been exposed to COVID-19. These two important informational products include Interim Guidancefor Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 and a quick reference of the Do’s and Don’ts for employers and employees related to COVID-19 exposures.
OSHA Update on Worker Exposure. OSHA has released a guidance on worker exposure risk to COVID-19, dividing job tasks into four risk exposure levels. Most American workers will likely fall in the lower or medium exposure risk levels.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Extends and Expands Emergency Declaration. Also attached to this Update is a notice from the Motor Carrier Safety Carrier Administration Emergency Declaration addressing national emergency conditions that create a need for immediate transportation of essential supplies, equipment and persons, and provides necessary relief for motor carriers and drivers engaged in the transport of essential supplies, equipment and persons.
CICI Members Continue Answering the Call to Combat COVID-19. A new partnership has been formed between DuPont, FedEx and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) to accelerate the delivery of critical PPE to the United States. The first delivery of over 450,000 Tyvek® coveralls was made yesterday and in the weeks that follow, 500,000+ Tyvek® garments will be shipped each week. HHS has contracted for these garments for the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile and distribution of these PPE shipments throughout the U.S. will be managed by the FEMA Movement Control Team. Details can be found here: DuPont
In addition, Joliet area Seeler Industries is the nation’s leading supplier of Peracetic Acid. Peracetic Acid is in liquid cleansers, sprayers, foams and industrial foggers which are being used to disinfect schools and large buildings all over the country. In fact, one-third of peracetic acid being used to battle the COVID-19 virus in the country is being produced by Seeler. More information on Seeler’s efforts can be found here at WTTW Seeler.
Furthermore, today the USEPA has updated List N which contains a list of disinfectants proven to kill COVID-19 – products made of chemicals from several CICI members.
Plastic Bans Lifted in Response to COVID-19: It’s unfortunate that it has taken something like a pandemic for elected officials and some businesses to realize the importance of a whole host of beneficial products made from our industry, including plastic materials. All over the country, including Illinois, plastics bag and container bans, or their fees, have been lifted, or the use of reusable bags, containers, cups, and straws have been discouraged as numerous viruses can cling to these reusable products. The Chicago Tribune has an article today that is worth a read. Also attached to this Update is a list of plastic bag/foodservice rollback articles from the American Chemistry Council.
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