Original post date: 03/04/2020
Last updated: 03/13/2020
#NEWS. We have been and continue to monitor the COVID-19 Coronavirus situation very closely. During the past week, we’ve seen an increase of Coronavirus activity throughout the MATRC Region. We are keenly aware that most major hospitals and health systems have put restrictions on employee travel due to concerns about both risk and potential impact on staffing levels should there be any kind of surge in demand for clinical and hospital-based services. We are presently working through a variety of options, including having a virtual event component to the Summit, postponing the event until a later date, cancelling the event or some variation on these themes. We will be sending out a more detailed communication on Monday regarding next steps.
As you know your safety and the safety of those you serve is very important to us. Here are steps we had already put into place to ensure the health of all our attendees as per CDC guidance (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/mass-gatherings-ready-for-covid-19.html):
- The vast majority of our attendees come from the MATRC Region. However, we know that people travel. If you are traveling to one of the impacted countries designated with a Level 3 or 4 risk assessment or visiting one of the affected areas in the U.S. where there has been community spread within 14 days of the Summit, please refrain from attending the Summit. We are happy to accommodate cancellations and/or work on providing you with a virtual attendance option if you fit into this risk category.
- Healthcare workers who care for patients with COVID-19 and close contacts of persons with COVID-19 are at elevated risk of exposure. Older people and people of all ages with severe underlying health conditions — like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, for example — seem to be at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness. If you fit into one of these elevated risk categories, please refrain from attending the Summit. We are happy to accommodate cancellations and/or work on providing you with a virtual attendance option if you fit into this risk category.
- If you are not feeling well, we ask that you please refrain from traveling to the Summit.
- If you should become ill during the Summit, please stay in your room. If it isn’t an emergency, contact matrc@dt.com by email so that we can appropriately assess your situation. In the event of an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.
- Although the handshake is considered a customary form of greeting in the business world, it is also a great way to spread germs. We are totally fine with this being a handshake free meeting, so please do not be offended if you extend a hand and a colleague hesitates or gives you a fist bump or elbow tap instead.
- We will have an abundance of hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes on site for you to use. Nothing beats washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands! Learn more about when and how to wash your hands here!
- We will be working with the conference facility to ensure that there are protocols, processes and procedures in place related to sanitation, illness and other emergencies.
Check out the CDC website on Frequently Asked Questions and Answers if you would like some more information about COVID-19!
