Merit Family,

It is so easy to share and access information these days, but that comes at the cost of misinformation occasionally circulating, too. With all the COVID-19 vaccine-related news being shared lately, it is important that we stay informed from reliable, scientific sources.

In this newsletter, I’ll provide some facts about the vaccine to help clear up any lingering questions you may have as well as share updated news about COVID-19 symptoms and options to reduce quarantine.

COVID-19 VACCINE

As we draw nearer to the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine being administered, the CDC has created a list of the vaccine’s most important benefits.

• The vaccine will help keep you from getting COVID-19. Vaccines are carefully evaluated in clinical trials and will only be authorized and approved if they make it substantially less likely you’ll get COVID-19. Experts also believe getting a COVID-19 vaccine may help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do test positive.

• The vaccine is a safer way to build protection. Getting COVID-19 may offer some natural immunity, but experts don’t know how long this protection lasts, and the risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweigh the benefits of natural immunity. The vaccine will protect you without having to experience sickness. 

• Vaccination will be an important tool to help stop the pandemic. Wearing masks and social distancing help reduce the spread of the virus, but these measures may not be enough. Vaccines will work with your immune system, so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools we have available. 

For more resources on the COVID-19 vaccine, read the CDC’s page on vaccines here. To further help separate fact from fiction, visit the CDC’s Facts About COVID-19 Vaccines page.

Not sure about how vaccines work? The World Health Organization (WHO) breaks it down nicely in this article. 

COVID-19 SYMPTOMS

Did you know that not everyone who is infected by COVID-19 will develop a fever? It’s true! As with any new virus, the scientists and doctors studying it make new discoveries every day. While the main symptoms observed in patients infected continue to be fever, cough, and fatigue, the virus can affect everybody differently. Here are some of the lesser known symptoms of COVID-19: 

• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Headache
• Body aches
• Chills
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Loss of taste or smell

Remember, the virus may feel like just the common cold during its first few days. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your health provider to discuss your next steps.

NEW OPTIONS TO REDUCE QUARANTINE

The CDC put out new guidelines last week that explain options to reduce the length of quarantine if you live with someone who has tested positive. Limiting time quarantining may make it easier for people to do so by decreasing the time they cannot work. 

A shorter quarantine, as the CDC explains, can also lessen stress on the public health system, especially when new infections are on the rise. 

Please remember that your local public health authorities make the final decision about how long quarantine should last based on conditions and needs in your area. Always follow their recommendations if you need to quarantine. Options they will consider include stopping quarantine:

• On day 10 without testing
• On day 7 after receiving a negative test result (test must occur on day 5 or later)

After stopping quarantine, you should:

• Watch for symptoms until 14 days after exposure.
• If you have symptoms, immediately self-isolate and contact your local health authority or healthcare provider.
• Wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet from others, wash your hands, avoid crowds, and take other steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

If you live with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, you must quarantine for the full 10 days, even if you personally test negative. Remember, every time you come into close contact with the person who tested positive in your household, your 10-day quarantine starts over.

Read more about your options to reduce quarantine. Also, find guidelines here on options to reduce quarantine for contacts of persons with COVID-19 using symptoms monitoring and diagnostic testing.

Please reach out to me if you have any questions.

HEALTHY RECIPE OF THE WEEK

To help you get through the season in a COVID-19-friendly way, in each newsletter I’ll provide a new healthy recipe to try. This week?

Ultimate Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup is a classic comfort food. This recipe is packed with lean protein and nutrient-rich veggies for a bowl that’s not only delicious but good for you, too!

Get the recipe here.

SILVER LINING STORY

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 us—we just have to look

Wildlife Bridge Proves to be a Wild Success

This week’s Silver Lining Story comes from Merit’s headquarters’ very own state of Utah.

To help reduce the amount of wildlife injured or killed by crossing a dangerous stretch of highway, Utah’s Department of Transportation constructed a special fence and bridge in 2018 that animals could use to get to the other side­—safely.

While officials believed it would take approximately five years to see positive results, good news came just two years later. Recently released footage shows dozens of animals using the bridge. Some of the wildlife spotted crossing include coyotes, deer, moose, mountain lions, and even black bears.

Read the full story and watch the video here.

UPDATE ON COVID-19 AT MERIT

We’ve now identified 327 cases of COVID-19 among the Merit family of approximately 5,900 (271 in the United States, 22 in Mexico, 12 in Ireland, four in Sales-EMEA, four in Brazil, four in The Netherlands, three in France, two in Sales-LAM, two in Indonesia, one in Sales-APAC, and one in South Africa). Employees are recovering at home or at the hospital. Many employees who have recovered have returned to work.

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

The Merit Care Clinic is now offering a rapid COVID-19 test for people having symptoms. Please call the Merit Care Clinic to see if you’re eligible for this type of testing.

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

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