The HPH Sector Preparedness, Response, and COVID-19 Updates
March 2, 2023
The HPH Sector Preparedness, Resilience, and Response Update is produced by the
Division of Critical Infrastructure Protection
(CIP) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR).
|
|
|
|
ASPR Updated Organizational Structure
In 2022, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) has been elevated from a Staff Division to an Operation Division within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The change allows ASPR to mobilize a coordinated national response more quickly and stably during future disasters and emergencies while equipping us with greater hiring and contracting capabilities. The reorganization establishes a structure that accounts for our expanded mission, addresses our new capabilities, prioritizes program accountability, and is clear and straightforward in its naming conventions. Learn more about the reorganization
here. |
|
|
|
|
|
COVID-19 Situation Update
As of March 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
reported 103,268,408 cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and 1,115,637 deaths in the United States. The map below shows confirmed and (COVID-19) cases reported by U.S. states and territories, and the District of Columbia.
|
Variants
-
Currently SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is constantly changing and accumulating mutations in its genetic code over time. New variants of SARS-CoV-2 are expected to continue to emerge. Some variants will emerge and disappear, while others will emerge and continue to spread and may replace previous variants
. To identify and track SARS-CoV-2 variants
, CDC uses genomic surveillance.
SARS-CoV-2 specimens for sequencing through the National SARS-CoV-2 Strain Surveillance (NS3) program, as well as SARS-CoV-2 sequences generated by commercial or academic laboratories contracted by CDC and state or local public health laboratories.
-
CDC provides estimates of variant proportions in two ways: weighted estimates and nowcast estimates. Weighted estimates are variant proportions that are based on empirical (observed) genomic sequencing data. Nowcast estimates are model-based projections of variant proportions for the most recent weeks to enable timely public health action. CDC provides updated variant proportions for weighted estimates and Nowcast estimates every week on Friday. Learn more about the variants on CDC.gov.
COVID-19 Vaccines and Boosters
-
CDC is providing information on self-reported COVID-19 vaccination status by race/ethnicity from the National Immunization Survey (NIS) Adult COVID Module to supplement vaccine administration data reported directly to CDC by jurisdictions and federal entities.
Percentages displayed in the "Vaccine Survey Estimates are shown on CDC.gov.
-
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and reduce COVID-19 mortality. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that countries prioritize populations at increased risk, e.g., older adults, for COVID-19 vaccination with a goal of 100% coverage with a completed primary series for populations at-risk. COVID-19–associated mortality among persons aged ≥60 years exceeded 80% of total COVID-19 mortality in 2020 and 2021 across all income groups; however, the median reported completed primary series coverage among older adults in 2022 was 76%, substantially below the WHO goal, especially in middle and low-income countries. Efforts are needed to increase COVID-19 primary series and periodic booster dose coverage among older adults as recommended by WHO and
national health authorities. Learn more on CDC.gov.
Communication Resources
-
CDC launched the COVID-19 Testing Locator website
, which will allow consumers to search for free COVID-19 testing sites near them. The locator is part of the CDC Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) program, which provides access to COVID-19 testing, focusing on communities at a greater risk of being impacted by the pandemic, people who do not have health insurance, and surge testing in state and local jurisdictions. COVID-19 testing is available at no-cost at ICATT sites to people with or without health insurance who are experiencing symptoms
or
have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
-
Some people are immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system) due to a medical condition or from receipt of immunosuppressive medications or treatments. Learn more about which medical conditions put you at increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness and death. Learn more on
CDC.gov.
Additional Resources |
Situation Update: U.S. Mpox Outbreak 2023
CDC continues to closely track cases of Mpox that have been reported since mid-May 2022 in the United States. As of March 1, there have been 30,225 confirmed cases of probable or confirmed Mpox in 43 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Current U.S. and global maps and case counts are available at U.S. Monkeypox Outbreak 2022: Situation Summary.
Communication Resources
-
ASPR’s Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), in coordination with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is deploying vaccines and treatments to a number of jurisdictions across the United States to support communities affected by mpox. Learn more on HHS.gov.
|
National Disaster Distress Helpline
The Disaster Distress Helpline, at 1-800-985-5990
, provides immediate counseling to anyone who has been affected by the train derailment and chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio. It continues to impact people, wildlife, and the environment in the surrounding area. The Disaster Distress Helpline is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Counselors are available 24/7 to respond to people who need crisis counseling after experiencing a traumatic event or a disaster. Counselors are trained to offer support to people who may be experiencing a range of symptoms. People seeking emotional help in the wake of disaster or tragedy can call or text 1-800-985-5990
and begin the healing process. The Helpline immediately connects callers to trained and caring professionals from the nearest crisis counseling center in the nationwide network of centers. The Helpline staff provide confidential counseling, referrals and other needed support services. Learn more on samsha.gov. |
FEMA Assistance to Hurricane Ian Survivors Surpasses $1 Billion, Biden- Harris Administration Provides Over $ 5.5 Billion in Total Federal Support to Florida
Federal Emergency Management Agency (
FEMA) has provided more than $1 billion for 380,000 Florida survivors of Hurricane Ian, as part of the $5.5 billion in federal support the Biden-Harris administration has provided to help families and communities in Florida jumpstart their recovery. The FEMA Individual Assistance funds, which go directly to applicants, are for rent, basic home repair and other disaster-related expenses. In addition, the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $1.68 billion in low-interest disaster loans and the National Flood Insurance Program has paid $2.29 billion in claims. FEMA’s Public Assistance program has obligated $552 million to the state to reimburse debris removal and emergency response costs. In continuing support to
Floridians, FEMA is undertaking an extensive housing effort that includes funds for rent, home repairs, hotel stays, apartment leases, travel trailers and manufactured housing units. For the latest information on Florida's recovery from Hurricanes Ian and Nicole visit fema.gov.
Additional Resources |
ASPR TRACIE Resources
ASPR TRACIE Disaster Available Supplies in Hospitals (DASH) Tool: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Module
This one-page fact sheet describes the DASH Tool and how to access it. This week, ASPR TRACIE would like to highlight the PPE Module, which estimates minimum PPE needed by hospital personnel managing patients suspected or known to be infected with a special pathogen.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) De-Escalation Series
This DHS CISA webpage includes links to four files related to recognizing warning signs and de-escalating someone on a path to violence in the critical infrastructure workplace: assess, de-escalate, recognize, and report. These files are also available in four other languages. |
It's A New Dawn, It's a New Day, It's a New Website for CISA!
The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has launched a new and improved website! It consolidates resources making them easier to find and highlights CISA's focus on coming together as One CISA. The new site is intuitively organized by service and tool, but there are also
audience-based search capabilities. There is also a new Spotlight section
that highlights the topics that CISA supports daily so viewers can stay up-to-the minute on timely, trending issues. The News and Events page
provides a view into what CISA has done in the past, and where it is going in the future. CISA also wants to bring greater attention to the
hiring opportunities in its agency and to focus on bringing more diversity and inclusivity into the work force.
CISA.gov is now truly a one-stop-shop consolidating all CISA services, tools, and sites into one place makes it easier for our partners and stakeholders to find what they need, also simplifies the process of reporting information. New vulnerabilities can now be submitted for a coordinated disclosure at the updated CISA.gov/report page. Learn more at CISA.gov.
|
Comments and Questions
If you have comments or questions, send an email to CIP@hhs.gov. The CIP team will work to answer your inquiries or connect you to the proper entity.
|
Traffic Light Protocol (TLP) Designation: CLEAR |
TLP: CLEAR information may be distributed without restriction.
|
|
Did someone forward this to you?
Subscribe to HPH Sector communications.
Disclaimer: ASPR provides the above sources of information for the convenience of the HPH Sector community and is not responsible for the availability or content of the information or tools provided, nor does ASPR endorse, warrant or guarantee the products, services or information described or offered. It is the responsibility of the user to determine the usefulness and applicability of the information provided.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|