US CDC releases resources to assist in reopening

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released two new resources to assist states, localities as well as businesses and community organizations in reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to statement on Wednesday, the first, CDC Activities and Initiatives Supporting the COVID-19 Response and the President's Plan for Opening America Up Again, summarizes CDC's initiatives, activities, and tools in support of the whole-of-government response to COVID-19, reports Xinhua news agency.

The document includes information on general and healthcare surveillance as well as guidance on infection control, contact tracing, and testing.

The second resource is a set of health considerations to be used by summer camps, schools, youth sports organizations, institutes of higher education, and restaurants and bars, that are open.

The documents focus on four categories of safeguards: promoting behaviours to reduce spread, maintaining healthy environments, maintaining healthy operations, and preparing for when someone gets sick.

The CDC will work with state, tribal, local, and territorial leaders to provide technical assistance, and resources that can help support decisions about how Americans begin to re-engage in civic life while adhering to mitigation strategies such as social distancing, hand-washing and wearing face coverings, said the release.

The development comes as the US currently accounts for the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 1,508,291 and 90,340, respectively.

( With inputs from IANS )