‘Tripledemic’ of COVID, flu, RSV: Triple threat to return-to-office policies (& holiday parties)

Although the term “tripledemic” sounds like something out of science fiction, it is a growing threat nationwide just as many employees are adjusting to returning to the office. As the name implies, the tripledemic refers to three respiratory viruses — RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), the flu and COVID – and it’s threatening lives, as well return-to-work policies.

Infections have surged in several parts of the nation. Los Angeles County officials are considering reinstating an indoor mask mandate, including for shared office space and manufacturing settings, after COVID cases spiked recently. Case levels also are high in New York City. In Washington state, 25 hospital executives and 12 county health officers have asked residents to mask indoors. The Oregon Health Authority has asked people to protect children and older adults by wearing masks in crowded indoor spaces.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that people living in areas with a high risk of COVID infection wear masks indoors. Right now, that’s about 9% of U.S. counties. “To protect communities in those circumstances at those high levels, we have recommended and continue to recommend that those communities wear masks,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky told NPR News.

Businesses are responding by taking measures to help infected employees and prevent the spread of the virus.

“Employers are unlikely to return to masking at work unless there are clear public health mandates,” a Mercer spokesperson said. “The situation right now is pretty complicated, with multiple respiratory viruses causing significant absenteeism, so the most likely scenario would be some policies around work from home and staying out of the workplace when symptomatic.”

The increase in infections comes at a time when many companies are holding their holiday parties. Alyssa Pettinato of Alinato Events told Inside Edition that employers need to be cautious. “Everything is back,” she said. “Everybody’s excited. If you’ve been traveling extensively, you might want to refrain. “If you don’t feel good, do not come. And if you are feeling off, you know, get tested. If you’re feeling uncomfortable, wear a mask.”

Related: How much will COVID-19 vaccines cost after the federal government stops paying for them?

The insurance brokerage Brown & Brown recommends five steps to keep the workforce healthy this winter:

• Make vaccinations accessible. Logistics and costs often are major barriers to getting seasonal vaccines such as the flu shot and boosters for COVID. Provide information about local pharmacies and clinics that offer COVID and flu vaccines. Remind insured employees that these are fully covered by their health plan and provide vouchers to cover the costs for the uninsured. Give employees paid time off to get immunized.
• Continue to encourage or require mask-wearing, which limits the spread of each of these respiratory diseases. This is especially important if employees are in routine close contact with one another, customers or the public.
• Ensure proper ventilation in buildings and workspaces, which may reduce the concentration of airborne viruses. It also can reduce surface contamination, which is especially important for RSV and the flu, by removing some virus particles before they land on surfaces.
• Given the contagiousness of all three viral illnesses, encourage employees to stay home if they are not feeling well and are symptomatic. Offering paid sick time or ways to work from home can help decrease the likelihood of a workplace outbreak.
• Help employees get connected to a primary care provider so they have treatment options if they do become ill or have symptoms. A primary care provider can help with testing for different viruses and give guidance on over-the-counter and prescription treatments. Seeking routine and early care from a primary care provider lowers the likelihood that high-cost emergency care becomes necessary.