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Merit Family,

 

For those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere, warmer weather is finally upon us. The summer season traditionally has been a time to travel with family and friends. However, I'd like to stress that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all travel is unpredictable at this time.

 

Traveling increases your risk of becoming infected as well as the chances of spreading COVID-19. Therefore, staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others.

 

If travel is necessary, Merit requests that any employee who travels to a country, territory, or state identified as higher risk notify their supervisor of their travel. Merit defines higher risk areas using the Healix International recommendations (referenced later in this newsletter).

 

I hope this week's newsletter provides guidance and helps to answer any travel questions you may have.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR TRAVELING WITHIN THE UNITED STATES

Contemplating Person

Before traveling, first ask yourself the following questions:1

Is COVID-19 spreading where you're going?

You can get infected while traveling.

 

Is COVID-19 spreading in your community?

Even with no symptoms, you can spread COVID-19 to others while traveling.

 

Will you or those you're traveling with be within 6 ft of others during and after your trip?

Being within 6 ft of others increases your chances of getting infected and infecting others.

 

Are you or those you're traveling with more likely to get very ill from COVID-19?

Older adults and people of any age with serious underlying medical conditions are at a higher risk.

 

Do you live with someone who's more likely to get very ill from COVID-19?

If you get infected while traveling, you can spread COVID-19 to loved ones when you return, even if you don't have symptoms.

 

Does your state or local government where you live or at your destination require you to stay home for 14 days after traveling?

Some governments may require people who have recently traveled to stay home for 14 days.

 

If you get sick with COVID-19. will you have to miss work or school?

People with COVID-19 disease need to stay home until they're no longer considered infectious.

HEALIX INTERNATIONAL EMPLOYEE-SPECIFIC TRAVELING GUIDELINES

Airport travel with Covid 19

As a company, Merit Medical has a high percentage of employees who travel for work. Understandably, there may be situations when travel is essential for business to operate. Depending on where an employee travels, there may also be quarantines that need to be followed after a trip. 

Please remember that at this time, all work travel needs to be approved by Merit CEO, Fred Lampropoulos. Find Merit's Travel Policy here.

 

To help guide us during this time, Merit uses Healix International recommendations because its information is based on that of the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and other international organizations.

 

When traveling, please follow the below Healix International general precautions against COVID-19 wherever you are.2

  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water (for at least 20 seconds) or with an alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR), especially after coughing and sneezing and before handling and consuming food. Consider carrying an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you.
  • When coughing and sneezing, use disposable tissues and dispose of them carefully and promptly. If you have no tissues, use the inner elbow of your clothing. Avoid using your hands to cover your mouth.
  • Avoid touching your face, in particular mouth, eyes, and nose.
  • Avoid shaking hands with people. Instead simply greet people with hands by your side, or use a novel approach such as an elbow-to-elbow.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, not forgetting that the virus can settle on your cell phone.

 

Additional precautions in areas with sustained community transmission:

  • Avoid close contact with people who appear unwell or who are coughing or sneezing. Avoid sharing personal items.
  • Minimize going out into the general population and practice social distancing (maintain a distance of approximately 6 ft, if possible) whenever out in public.
  • Avoid crowds, stores, crowded public transit, sporting, or mass entertainment events, and other situations likely to attract large numbers of people.
  • Take your temperature with a thermometer twice a day. Watch for cough or difficulty breathing. Fever means feeling hot/sweaty or having a measured temperature of 100.4F/38C or higher.
  • Stay home wherever possible.
  • Thoroughly cook all meat and eggs before consuming.
  • Avoid unprotected contact with wild or domestic farm animals (alive or dead).

If you become unwell in areas with sustained community transmission:

  • If you become unwell with symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) you must immediately take precautions to isolate yourself from colleagues and family members.

Unwell man

  • Healix clients should call Healix immediately if feeling unwell. They can advise whether or not you should work from home, self-isolate, present for COVID-19 testing, or contact emergency services.
  • In some countries you'll be directed to specialist government infection control hospitals. However, a number of private hospitals have been designated as pre-hospital screening centers and are able to perform testing for COVID-19. All positive cases will, nevertheless, be referred to government appointed infection control hospitals. Some health authorities (China, South Korea, UK) have initiated community swab teams to perform home testing and also "drive-through" testing, in order to minimize contact with other symptomatic people.
  • Healix advises that individuals with mild symptoms manage their illness at home, ensuring that they take steps to isolate themselves from family members (see below).
  • All patients with severe symptoms (including shortness of breath) must seek medical care immediately at a designated hospital, remembering that they should always telephone ahead to advise of their symptoms and any relevant travel history.

 

Countries/Territories: COVID-19 Risk

 Band A (very severe)

Bangladesh

Belarus

Brazil

Chile

India

Iran

Mexico

Peru

Russia

Yemen

 Band B (severe)

Armenia 

Afghanistan 

Argentina

Bolivia

Cameroon

Canada 

Colombia 

Dominican Republic 

Djibouti

Egypt

El Salvador 

Guatemala 

Haiti 

Honduras

Indonesia

Italy 

Kazakhstan

Kuwait 

Nigeria 

Oman

Pakistan

Panama

Poland 

Qatar 

Saudi Arabia 

Singapore 

South Africa

Spain

Sudan 

Sweden 

Tajikistan 

Turkey 

UK

Ukraine

USA – Massachusetts, Texas, California, Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Florida, Wisconsin,  Alabama, Arkansas, N Carolina 

UAE 

 Band C (moderate)

Europe & CIS 

Azerbaijan 

Belgium

Bulgaria  

France

Portugal 

Romania 

The Netherlands 

Turkmenistan 

 

Africa 

Algeria 

DR Congo

Gabon 

Ghana 

Mayotte 

Morocco 

Senegal 

 

Asia Pacific 

Malaysia

Philippines 

 

Americas

Cayman Islands 

Ecuador 

French Guiana 

USA – Excluding the above in Band B

 

MENA 

Bahrain 

Iraq 

Palestine 

This information changes weekly. Please check the Healix webpage for updates.

 

Healix Advice for Returning Travelers (with no symptoms)

Returning from countries/territories listed in Band A:

  • Self-isolate for 14 days. See below advice if you develop symptoms. 

Returning from countries/territories listed in Band B:

  • Self-isolate for 14 days. See below advice if you develop symptoms. 

Returning from countries/territories listed in Band C:

  • Self-monitor for 14 days and self-isolate immediately. Don't go to work if you develop even the most minor symptoms. Check with your HR department to find out whether there's a requirement to work from home during this period. 

 

Healix Advice for Returning Travelers (with symptoms)

If you become unwell within 14 days of returning from countries/territories in Bands A, B, or C

  • Self-isolate immediately and seek prompt medical advice if you develop symptoms by calling your national public health authority helpline, reporting on your recent travel history to let them know that you may have been exposed. 

 

Additional guidance:

  • Self-isolate if you become unwell after travel until you have been assessed by a health professional.
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water (for at least 20 seconds) or with an alcohol-based hand rub, especially after coughing and sneezing and before handling and consuming food. 
  • When coughing and sneezing, use disposable tissues and dispose of them carefully and promptly. If you have no tissues, use the inner elbow of your clothing. Don't use your hands to cover your mouth. 
  • Consistently wearing a face covering may help to prevent spread to others. Caution should be taken not to touch your mouth or face under the face covering, as this will potentially transmit virus. 

 

SILVER LINING STORY

Sea life

It seems like every day (COVID-19 or no) we're bombarded with frightening and worrisome news. But the truth of the matter is, good things are happening all around uswe just have to look.

 

This week's Silver Lining Story is not only one of hope but one of immense opportunity. According to a recent UN report, the temporary shutdown of 

activities due to the pandemic could give oceans "much-needed breathing space" to recover from pollution, overfishing, and the impacts of climate change.

 

"Healthy oceans are intricately linked to achieving sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific," said Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, head of the UN office in the region. "During these challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucial to take advantage of the window of opportunity offered by reduced emissions and energy demand to protect the marine environment."

 

Read the full UN News article here and learn why it's important to shift toward "green" practices now.

UPDATE ON COVID-19 AT MERIT

We've now identified 31 cases of COVID-19 among the Merit family of approximately 6,100 (16 in the United States, one in France, two in Ireland, one in The Netherlands, and 11 in Mexico). These employees are all recovering well and are at home or have returned to work.

COVID-19 Metrics

All facilities have implemented stringent COVID-19 protection measures to prevent any spread of the virus among Merit employees.

 

Please visit the Merit Metro (for employees who have Merit email addresses) or www.merit.com/covid-19-response-resource-page/ for the most updated information on Merit and COVID-19.

 

Please stay safe. Please stay positive (and keep smiling from 6 feet). I look forward to sharing more information with you soon.

 

Regards,

Dr. Nicole Priest, MD

Merit Medical Chief Wellness Officer

 

REFERENCES

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2020. "Coronavirus in the United States—Considerations for Travelers." Last modified April 24, 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-in-the-us.html.

2. Healix International. 2020. "Up-to-Date Guidance for Employers and Travelers." Last updated May 22, 2020.

              

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