Though COVID-19 activity in the U.S. remains relatively low, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a rise in infections in many Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Southern, and West Coast states.

According to the CDC, emergency department visits are an early indicator that could reflect the rise in COVID-19 activity. Though visits remain low nationally at 0.7% as of July 26, they are up from mid-July—with greater increases in children ages 4 years old and younger. Test positivity also increased at the national level by 1.1% as of July 18.

Wastewater detections of the virus, another early marker, were at the very low level earlier this summer and are now at the low level nationwide—with the highest levels located in the West and followed by the South as of July 26. Texas, Hawaii, and Alaska have very high levels of COVID-19 in wastewater. States at the high level include California, Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Delaware. 

The CDC has not updated its variant proportion projections since the middle of June; its last update reflected growing proportions of newer subvariants.

ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, proudly unveils ISSA VEO – Visión, Empeño, Oportunidad, a national initiative to unify, support, and elevate Hispanic professionals within the cleaning and facility solutions industry.

With the introduction of ISSA VEO, the organization also announced the ISSA VEO Council and the inaugural ISSA VEO Conference, taking place Sept. 29 and 30 in Chicago during Hispanic Heritage Month.

“ISSA VEO represents our long-term commitment to the advancement of Hispanic professionals across all levels of the cleaning industry,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. “This unified platform brings clarity, purpose, and power to the work ahead. We’re here to support Hispanic professionals, empower the workforce, and spotlight Hispanic excellence as a driving force shaping the future of our industry.”

ISSA VEO is designed to:

• Serve Hispanic professionals, within our industry, with the resources to grow and scale
• Create bilingual, culturally relevant community, training and leadership pathways
• Elevate Hispanic presence across every level of the industry
• Position professionals, representing nearly 70% of the cleaning industry workforce, as a critical force in shaping the future of the industry

All programming and initiatives will operate under the ISSA VEO brand, including:

• ISSA VEO Council – A leadership body composed of ISSA members and advisors who will guide the initiative’s direction and impact
• ISSA VEO Conference – A two-day, in-person, bilingual event celebrating Hispanic excellence
• ISSA VEO Webinars – Ongoing bilingual education and leadership development
• ISSA VEO Awards – Recognition for outstanding contributions and leadership within the Hispanic community
• ISSA VEO Sponsors – Strategic partners investing in the growth and success of this movement

The four strategic pillars of ISSA VEO are:

1. Business Advancement – Bilingual programming in finance, operations, technology, and growth strategy
2. Workforce Development – Career mobility training for frontline workers—from cleaning professional to manager to executive/owner
3. Industry Representation – Elevating Hispanic professionals as innovators, executives, and thought leaders
4. Leadership Career Mobility – Pathways for advancement, mentorship, and executive development

The ISSA VEO Conference will welcome Hispanic leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals for a high-impact experience of networking, training, and inspiration. The event will feature respected voices from both within and outside the industry, including Rebecca Contreras, former white house advisor; Maria Cardona, recognized among the most influential Latinos in the country, Maria is a Principal at the Dewey Square Group, leading the Multicultural and Public Affairs practices, the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; the Association of Hispanic Professionals; the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; U.S. Secretary of Labor; AT&T; and Comcast, to name a few. To learn more about the ISSA VEO Conference and register, click here.

The ISSA VEO Council is open to all ISSA members who are passionate about creating a more inclusive and representative cleaning industry. Go here to get involved and apply.