Covid 19

CDC Travel Notices: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices
WHO Coronavirus Updates: https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

The 2019 novel coronavirus, now known as COVID-19, is a member of a large family of viruses, which can cause a variety of illnesses in animals and humans. One type of coronavirus causes about 20% of common colds in humans. Other types of coronavirus have caused more serious illnesses in the past, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).

After apparently originating in the Wuhan province of China, the coronavirus (COVID-19) spread outward to several other areas, including North America. So far, it has caused illness in thousands of people. Among those with the illness, the severity has varied from simple “cold symptoms” all the way up to death. The fraction of those with a severe infection is a small portion of the total number infected with coronavirus, based on initial data.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Novel Coronavirus in China alert and the routinely updated situation summaries are the best sources for up-to-date information.

There are several measures which reduce the likelihood of getting or spreading the virus:

• Stay home when you are sick. Please see medical attention if you are ill, and only come to the office when your doctor clears you to do so.
• Regularly wash your hands (30 seconds!) and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze. Sneeze into your elbow.
• Do not share food or drinks.
• Avoid close contact with people who have fever, coughing, sneezing, or difficulty breathing.
• Keep yourself away from others if you have fever, coughing, sneezing, or difficulty breathing.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

• When a person has the virus, they may have a fever (above 100.4° F or 38° C), cough and difficulty breathing. These symptoms overlap with several other common illnesses, including influenza.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, your health care provider will ask about recent travel or possible exposure to other people who are known to have the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19). At-risk individuals may undergo a physical examination, lab testing or additional consultation with experts, if needed.

According to the CDC, the virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person, between people who are in close contact with one another (within about six feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby, or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

It may also be possible for a person to contract COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has been contaminated with the virus and then touching his or her own mouth, nose, or eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are tracking the spread of the disease. You can read more about this via the Coronavirus Situation Summary, which includes a map.

If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you may be exposed or infected with the virus, please follow the CDC guidelines in this fact sheet to help prevent spreading the virus: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet.pdf

Medix is following all CDC, World Health Organization (WHO), and client specific guidelines and protocols in regards to the COVID-19 outbreak. The health and safety of our talent, clients, and internal teammates is our top priority. Please contact your recruiter or talentcare@medixteam.com for specific protocols and procedures.

If you or someone that you have close contact with exhibits symptoms of COVID-19, you should contact a healthcare professional per CDC recommendations. Your health care professional will work with your State health department and the CDC to determine next steps with testing and treatment.

If you are sick with any symptoms, you should not return to work until you are symptom free for over 24 hours and/or have self-quarantined for 14 days per CDC guidelines. Please contact Medix and your direct supervisor if you are sick.

The CDC has completed a geographic risk assessment for COVID-19 transmission and has issued Travel Health Notices for many international destinations (linked here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html)

If you have travelled internationally within the past four weeks, please contact your Medix recruiter to report the travel and discuss next steps. If the travel has been recent, you may be asked to self-quarantine for up to 14 days.

While the CDC does not generally issue advisories or restrictions for travel within the US, there are areas of The United States experiencing more rapid and severe cases of community spread than others. If you have travelled domestically within the past 4 weeks, please notify your Medix recruiter to report the travel and discuss next steps. If the travel has been recent, you may be asked to self-quarantine for up to 14 days.

Medix is in constant communication with our clients in regards to training, safety while onsite, availability of remote work, and overall working conditions. Many of our clients have site-specific COVID-19 response plans and protocols in place, and Medix will ensure that we communicate any updates as we receive them. It is important that you understand and follow any client specific guidelines, along with Medix protocols and CDC guidelines.

As always, please contact your direct supervisor at the client site and your Medix recruiter with any questions.

While most personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided by our clients at this time, Medix is monitoring the situation at all of our client-sites and in different areas across the country to ensure that all of our talent, clients, and internal teammates are protecting themselves. Medix will work with you and your client-site directly to provide any PPE as needed to ensure your safety.