5 things: CDC: In-person college classes led to “significant” coronavirus increases

Each Friday Food Management compiles a list that highlights five things you probably missed in the onsite foodservice news that week and why you should care about them.

Here’s your list for the week of January 4:

Counties containing colleges and universities that opened for in-person classes last fall saw a 56% increase in COVID incidence within three weeks of opening for in-person instruction, according to a new study from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By contrast, counties without universities experienced a 5.9% decrease while those with universities that offered only remote instruction saw a 17.9% decrease, the study reported.

Read more: In counties where university classes were in person, Covid-19 cases rose 56%

Sodexo reported a 33.1% decrease in 2021 first quarter revenues in its North American unit compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2020, commenting that it was seeing “no real signs of improvement in any segment except Healthcare & Seniors” in the region, which remains “very impacted by the pandemic". The decline was 47% in B&I and 38.5% in Education (composed of both K-12 and college/university business) but only 10.6% in the Healthcare and Seniors segment.

Related:5 coronavirus things: Compass sheds laundry unit Crothall

Overall, the company reported a first fiscal quarter revenue decline of 22.7%, with Europe down 19.8% and other regions down 1.4%.

Read more: Sodexo: Q1 Fiscal 2021 revenues in line with guidance, H1 UOP margin assumption upgraded

A National Parents Union survey found that 60% of parents of K-12 students would let their child receive a vaccine for COVID-19, while 25% said they would not and 15% said they are unsure. Also, 44% said schools need to limit the number of students in common areas and maintain social distancing.

Read more: Survey: 60% of parents would allow their K-12 student to get COVID-19 vaccine

The Canteen Service Company (CSC) of Owensboro in Kentucky has been acquired by Five Star Food Service, a Tennessee-based vending services operator. CSC had been the third largest franchisee of Canteen, a unit of Compass Group, while Five Star is the largest. The deal expands Five Star’s reach into western Ohio, southern Indiana and a majority of Kentucky and expands its operations to nearly 2,300 micro markets, more than 30,000 vending machines, 15,000 coffee and water service locations and over 60 cafeterias.

Related:Not the same old grind: Ground pork flavors up the menu

Read more: Canteen Service Company of Owensboro part of major acquisition

Riverside Community Hospital in California has converted an unused cafeteria into 11 alternative-care patient beds as a way to deal with a surge of COVID infections in the area. Currently, Riverside Community Hospital is caring for 235 COVID patients, the most its seen since the pandemic began last spring.

Read more: IE hospital converts unused cafeteria into patient room as demand continues to grow

Bonus: Food service menu trending: 2021 onsite food predictions

Contact Mike Buzalka at [email protected]