DIAM COVID-19 Weekly Case Count & Vaccine Info (May 14-21, 2021)

DENSO International America, Inc.

Weekly COVID-19 Case Update

This week, we learned that one (1) associate from DIAM’s Southfield campus was diagnosed with COVID-19. The associate was last on site at DIAM Southfield DN40 on May 10, and received a positive diagnosis on May 14. Please respect confidentiality, even if you believe you know who this individual is.

DENSO North America
Weekly COVID-19 Case Update

This week, DENSO in North America had 17 new cases of COVID-19 at locations across Canada, Mexico and the United States. Case rates continue to decline. This brings us to 3,122 total cases for DENSO in North America since the pandemic began.

Exposed in Community – transmission attributed to community or home

Exposed at DENSO – transmission attributed to DENSO site contact

Unable to Determine – cannot confidently determine the source of exposure after thorough investigation (may have been exposed outside or inside of work)

Under Investigation – investigation is on-going both internally as well as with county health departments

For more information about DENSO’s safety protocols, view the Risk Minimization Toolkit (password: denso2020).

DENSO Follows CDC Guidance… Why Isn’t DENSO Following New CDC Guidance for Masks?

 In addition to the CDC’s recent guidance, DENSO is also awaiting federal requirements, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) COVID-19 temporary emergency standard. These requirements are currently under review, and will have a direct impact on updates to DENSO workplace policies.

Like our customers and other automotive suppliers, DENSO will continue to follow current practices for mask wearing and social distancing at all of its North American facilities. Reducing risk in a work environment of vaccinated and non-vaccinated associates is a top priority.

Associates can anticipate changes to many policies and procedures once OSHA and applicable state and local requirements are updated, including:

• Risk Minimization Toolkit standards, such as entrance screening, masks, social distance, barriers, capacity limits
• Travel Policy
• Visitor Policy
• COVID Leave Policy
• Work from Home policy and return-to-work phases

We are committed to providing weekly regional information for all associates, along with local communications about changes related to local and state government updates.

DENSO strongly encourages all associates to get vaccinated at your first opportunity. In addition to on-site events, vaccinefinder.org can connect you with local vaccination locations.

Associate FAQ: Can employers request proof of vaccination? Is vaccination status protected by HIPAA?

Because CDC guidance differentiates mask guidelines for vaccinated and unvaccinated people, associates have asked if DENSO can request proof of vaccination. The answer is yes. The Federal Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) recently issued guidance on the topic, saying that employers can ask if someone has been vaccinated and also to ask for proof. A key point here is that employers can ask a yes or no question. Asking why an individual did not receive a vaccination is not permitted.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is sometimes noted as a reason why employers cannot request proof of vaccination, but HIPAA doesn’t apply to the employer/employee relationship. It prevents healthcare providers from disclosing your personal health information without your permission.

DENSO has not made final policy decisions. Because this is one option under discussion, we wanted to clearly share the legal guidance under consideration as part of those policy discussions.