Here is a roundup of the latest news concerning the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to announcements from local, state, and federal governments, as well as international channels. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
Southfield’s ImageSoft Unveils Patient and Contact Tracing Software
ImageSoft Inc., a software development firm in Southfield, has unveiled its OnBase Patient and Contact Tracing Software, which is designed to aid in the ongoing battle against the spread of COVID-19.
Developed in conjunction with the Ottawa County Department of Public Health, this cloud-based application has a 91 percent response rate due to its simple text-based response format, according to ImageSoft.
The tracing software – which is expected to solve problems currently facing other tracing solutions, including patient response rate and privacy issues, while freeing up time for health care workers to focus on patient care – is available to health departments throughout the U.S. looking for ways to fight COVID-19.
“Our approach, developed with a trusted public health department, does not require anyone to ‘opt-in,’ eliminating many of the privacy issues people have,” says Vince Hanson, director of sales and marketing for ImageSoft. “Its origins stem from the challenges and recommendations of front-line workers, such as nurses and epidemiologists. This software has saved thousands of hours for front-line healthcare workers and allows them to prioritize cases and immediately identify urgent patients.”
The application integrates ESRI mapping software, public health records, and survey platform Qualtrics. Anyone suspecting they have COVID-19 is sent a two-question daily survey via text or email. Data is connected with state public health reporting systems and the CDC to determine possible hot spots.
Data capture allows for up-to-the-minute reporting, accuracy, and ability to connect with other members of the health care community. Real-time dashboards increase accuracy of patient monitoring.
For more information, visit here.
Grand Rapids Company Promotes Sanitizing Protocol to Prevent COVID-19 Spread
Grand Rapids-based Safe Science, a facility health service, has developed a sanitizing protocol to allow people to confidently use offices, schools, and stores.
The Safe Science system was developed in collaboration with sanitary scientists from leading food service companies.
“As companies re-open and COVID levels spike again, employees and consumers need to feel safe and comfortable to be productive,” say Jan Lehman, a board member at Safe Science. “Our science-based sanitization system helps prevent the spread of COVID-19, fulfills government guidelines, and is environmentally healthy.”
Safe Science brings experience developing sanitary processes for leading multinational food processors and have led large-scale disinfection initiatives remediating e. coli, listeria, and salmonella and are registered sanitarians with the state of Michigan.
For more information, visit here.
MSU Selects Everbridge COVID-19 Shield Software to Improve Pandemic Safety
Michigan State University in East Lansing is one of several colleges and universities around the country to employ the Everbridge COVID-19 Shield: Return to Campus software solutions as they prepare to welcome back students.
The Everbridge solution is designed to help colleges and universities reopen while digitally transforming the process to monitor potential exposures and effectively communicate across all key stakeholders while protecting student, faculty, and staff privacy.
In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, the new solution also will be able to mitigate a wide array of potential threats including active shooter situations, severe weather, IT outages, cyber-attacks, and other incidents, according to Everbridge.
“Campus safety professionals have an increasingly complex and difficult job to do and we remain committed to supporting their efforts during this unprecedented time,” says Brian Toolan, senior director of CEM for public safety at Everbridge. “Colleges and universities have chosen Everbridge to provide a safer path for students and faculty to return to campuses.”
Kearney Joins LIFT to Boost Efforts to Create National Future Manufacturing Showcase
DETROIT – LIFT, the Detroit-based Department of Defense-supported national manufacturing innovation institute, is excited to announce that global management consulting firm Kearney has joined the institute as a platinum member and is supporting the institute’s objectives to create a national showcase for future manufacturing in Detroit.
LIFT’s mission focuses on connecting materials, processes, systems and talent to help manufacturers of all types and sizes better understand the future of manufacturing. Kearney, and its leadership team, is helping to inform LIFT on the latest technologies and to build a national showcase at its facility. As part of that national showcase, Kearney will be placing its Digital Model Factory in the LIFT facility to demonstrate the “art of the possible” in future manufacturing. The model factory is expected to be fully launched at LIFT before the end of the year.
“The Kearney Digital Model Factory at the LIFT Manufacturing Innovation Institute will provide a test-bed for clients to experience the next generation of digital technologies” said Harris Ng, Kearney Partner. “This will increase their understanding of the link between technology and business performance while demonstrating how connecting different facets of the factory floor can enable a step change in performance.”
“Bringing a world-class organization like Kearney into our ecosystem is key to our growth as an institute, but also a key partner for our other members to have access to,” said Nigel Francis, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, LIFT. “By showing manufacturers what the ‘art of the possible’ is in future manufacturing, LIFT is the trusted advisor they need to move into the future and manufacture smarter.”
Founded in 2014, LIFT is a public-private partnership between government, industry and academia connecting materials, processes, systems and talent to deliver technological and talent development advances in support of the warfighter and U.S. manufacturing base.
Griffin Claw Brewery Invests in New Tech for Increased Safety and Sanitization
Griffin Claw Brewing Co., a microbrewery with taprooms in Birmingham and Rochester Hills, says it has installed cutting edge air purifiers in all air ducts of their taprooms.
“These units are capable of purifying every cubic inch of air in our taprooms,” says Scott LePage, director of Griffin Claw. “The technology is really impressive and the increase in safety for our people and guests is well worth the investment.”
The technology works by sending out ionized hydroperoxides that attack microbes and viruses while destroying impurities. It also causes allergens to stick together, which are then more efficiently filtered out of the air. This system is effective against all three categories of indoor air pollutants: particulates, microbial, and gases.
Griffin Claw also installed automatic, no touch sinks that dispense water and soap with a timer to promote proper lathering and hand washing techniques.
Security Firm Conducting Search for Employees
Allied Universal, a security and facility services company, is hiring more than 250 security professionals for multiple locations in the Auburn Hills/Pontiac, Flint, and East Lansing areas. The socially distanced open houses are scheduled as follows:
- July 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Holiday Inn Express and Suites Grand Blanc (3405 Regency Park Dr.). Apply here.
- July 29, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Holiday Inn Express and Suites Auburn Hills South (907 N Opdyke Rd.). Apply here.
- Aug 3, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Holiday Inn Express and Suites (2924 West Rd., East Lansing). Apply here.
Qualified candidates are asked to bring two forms of government issued ID and resume, and must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Great communication skills, both written, and verbal.
- Be comfortable using both computers and tablets
- Have a valid driver’s license for at least one year.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Able to pass background check and drug screen.
- Comfortable walking/standing for long periods of time.
Allied Universal also employs a virtual interview process where applicants can complete the company’s online application from the comfort of their home through highly advanced video interviewing technology.
Full-time employees receive medical and dental coverage, life insurance, 401(k), holidays, and more. Allied Universal is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce.
For a full list of available positions, visit here.
American Lung Association Lung Force Walk Goes Virtual
The American Lung Association is conducting its first virtual Detroit Lung Force Walk, Sept. 25-Oct. 4. The event previously took place at the Detroit Zoo, but was re-imagined as a virtual experience to promote social distancing.
To participate, Michigan residents are encouraged to head outdoors to complete their 5K. Over 10 days, the Lung Association will host several activities to engage participants, including a lung health scavenger hunt, group fitness activities, a virtual action passport, and more.
“People who live with lung diseases like asthma, lung cancer, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis are at a high risk for severe complications of COVID-19,” says Maureen Rovas, executive director for the Lung Association. “For that reason, we are launching our first-ever virtual Lung Force Walk to ensure the safety of all our participants, staff, and volunteers. Because of the global pandemic, it is more important than ever to support lung health.”
Money raised at the Virtual Lung Force Walk will fund the Lung Association’s efforts to end lung cancer and lung disease, as well as support the association’s COVID-19 Action Initiative, a $25 million investment to address COVID-19 and protect against future respiratory virus pandemics.
To register, visit here.
