{"id":8048,"date":"2022-01-06T10:54:05","date_gmt":"2022-01-06T15:54:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greaterlouisville.com\/?p=8048"},"modified":"2022-01-06T10:54:05","modified_gmt":"2022-01-06T15:54:05","slug":"covid-19-update-latest-updates-on-omicron-federal-vaccine-mandate-boosters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greaterlouisville.com\/from-the-desk\/covid-19-update-latest-updates-on-omicron-federal-vaccine-mandate-boosters\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19 Update: Latest updates on Omicron, federal vaccine mandate, & boosters"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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Over the holidays, COVID-19 reemerged with a vengeance in Greater Louisville due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. We are seeing a record positivity rate of 27% and astronomical case numbers in our region, like much of the state and the rest of the U.S. While science is continuing to show this variant is substantially milder and causing less severe illness than previous variants, it still poses a major threat to disrupting our economy and businesses.<\/p>\n

To keep our economy running, there are a few things you and your business can do to help curb the spread and mitigate impacts to our economy:<\/p>\n

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  1. Resume mask-wearing in indoor settings.<\/strong>\u00a0Public health experts urge everyone to upgrade from cloth masks to surgical masks and claim Kn95 and N95 masks are superior at filtering out Omicron.<\/li>\n
  2. Encourage vaccinations and boosters.<\/strong>\u00a0Science shows that while more breakthrough cases are occurring with Omicron, the vaccines are still excellent at preventing severe illness and death. If you have not already, get vaccinated and if you\u2019re eligible do not delay getting a booster. As business leaders, we encourage you to also work with your staff to ensure they are vaccinated and boosted.\u00a0Find vaccine and booster shots.\u00a0<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Get tested if you have symptoms or a known exposure.<\/strong>\u00a0While demand for tests has escalated, many sites still have same day appointments or no appointment requirements. The CDC recommends testing 3-5 days after an exposure or at the onset of symptoms.\u00a0Find testing sites in Louisville here.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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    Federal vaccine mandate goes into effect next week<\/strong>
    \nThe mandate for employers with more than 100 employees to require COVID-19 vaccines or weekly testing is set to go into effect next Monday, January 10. The mandate has faced legal challenges and the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments on Friday.\u00a0 While OSHA has said they will not fine employers until February 9, it may take businesses time to prepare their workforce.\u00a0Employers with more than 100 employees may\u00a0wish to prepare for the mandate to go into effect and should take the following steps:<\/p>\n