University of Western Ontario faculties and support units are asked to create a plan for continuing services with a one-third reduction in student or staff levels in the event of a pandemic outbreak.
Workshops were held this week for administrative officers, deans and unit leaders about the latest pandemic planning strategy – creating a Continuity of Operations Plan – to continue operations during an outbreak. The university has adopted a software program from the University of California, Berkeley that assists in generating a continuity plan.
The World Health Organization maintains the pandemic alert level at phase 6, its highest level. There were more than 3,600 confirmed cases in Ontario as of July 4. Although only seven cases have been reported in the Middlesex-London area, university officials do not want to ease up on precautions.
The second wave of the virus is expected to return in the fall.
“Our health agencies are certainly suggesting the return of this influenza in some mutated or stronger form during our regular flu season has a high probability,” says Lynn Logan, Associate Vice-President Financial Services and chair of the Continuity of Operations Planning Committee.
With such a work attendance drop of up to 35 per cent, Logan says faculties and support units must consider which services should continue.
Considerations include determining how critical functions continue with fewer resources (including reduced staff, spacing, equipment or information technology infrastructure), assessing what information will be needed during and after the outbreak and providing student housing for those unable to return home.
One target of the plan is to have backups and contingency plans in place if individuals who perform critical functions contract the virus, says Logan.
“We are calling it ‘three-deep,'” she says. “We want units to plan for a backup for the backup … Then we will have a better level of preparedness than if we were to do nothing.”
Similarly, faculties and units must prepare for a possible imposed shut down, which would close all but essential services.
In completing a continuity plan, faculties and units are encouraged to communicate with areas that aid their operations, such as the Physical Plant Department, Human Resource Services, and Information Technology Services, to coordinate planning.
A Continuity of Operations Plan must be submitted by September 30.
The university, in consultation with the Middlesex-London Health Unit, continues to monitor the H1N1 influenza situation and maintains its appeal for regular hand washing, using hand sanitizer, covering a cough or sneeze and staying at home when ill to prevent the spread of the virus.
“One of the things we are watching for very closely is whether a vaccine will be developed and that may in fact stave off a pandemic,” says Shelagh Bantock, Clinical Director of Western’s Health Services.
Student Health Services has a plan in place for supporting the university community if an outbreak occurs, she adds.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is anticipating limited vaccine availability at the global level for the H1N1 influenza. The development of vaccines is underway, but they have not been extensively evaluated for safety in certain population groups.
Updates will be posted on the university’s microsite at https://communications.uwo.ca/influenza-microsite/.
Questions about creating a Continuity of Operations Plan can be directed to the committee at coop_questions@uwo.ca.