NA: COVID-19 Positive Diagnoses at DENSO Affiliates (July 31 – Aug 7, 2020)

From July 31- Aug. 7, 2020, we have had 44 new positive COVID-19 diagnoses at DENSO affiliates in North America. That brings our total to 256 positive diagnoses across the region.

Contact tracing investigations:

Unless the infection source is clearly identified (a family member, etc.), DENSO Safety and Health specialists work with the DENSO Family Health Center experts and/or local public health departments to investigate how each person got COVID-19, a process called contact tracing.

This week, we have confirmed one (1) associate may have contracted the virus at work. Initial investigation indicates that associates may have been working in close proximity at the same workspace for a prolonged period of time without following complete company protocol. DENSO will continue to further investigate this occurrence and implement additional measures as necessary to help ensure the safety of our associates.

DENSO has several safety measures and policies, such as social distancing and wearing face coverings, that, when diligently practiced, help reduce risk of spreading or contracting this virus.  When social distancing can’t be achieved, wearing a face covering reduces risk of spreading the virus; however, face coverings alone do not prevent spread. CDC states that if you are exposed, in close proximity to someone (less than 6’ distance), for 15 or more minutes, and that person has COVID-19, you are at higher risk of contracting the virus.

How a face covering works:

• COVID-19 spreads mainly among people who are in close contact.
• All of us have droplets in coughs and sneezes that can carry COVID-19 to others.
• Coughs spray droplets at least 6 feet. Sneezes travel as far as 27 feet. Droplets also may spread when we talk or raise our voice.
• These droplets can land on your face or in your mouth, eyes and nose.
• When you wear a mask, it keeps more of your droplets with you.
• A mask also adds an extra layer of protection between you and other people’s droplets.

Let’s remember the risk COVID-19 poses for all of us and be vigilant and careful at work and at home. We can’t make the risk level zero, but together, we can substantially reduce the risk.

It’s up to all of us.

• Let us all commit that, without fail, we will all take responsibility to follow safety rules including faithfully reporting any symptoms upon entry to the buildings, always wearing face coverings (except when eating, drinking, or smoking), and practicing social distancing.
• Let us all commit to care for those around us by helpfully encouraging everyone to follow the safety rules.
• Let us all commit that if we see areas of risk where rules are not followed or the rules themselves are not strong enough, let’s point that out to management.  Let’s practice the rule of “See Something / Say Something.”