If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19

Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• Unexplained cough
• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of smell or taste
• Chills or shaking chills
• Muscle aches not related to physical exercise or activity
• Sore throat
• Nausea/vomiting
• Unexplained diarrhea
• Congestion or runny nose

If you are a Meharry employee, contact Student and Employee Health at 615-327-5757. 

If you are not a Meharry employee call your physician.

If you believe that you have been exposed to COVID-19

If you are a Meharry employee, contact Student and Employee Health at 615-327-5757. 

If you are not a Meharry employee call your physician.

If you are a student or employee who has been diagnosed with COVID-19

• If your COVID-19 testing was not done by Student and Employee Health (SEH), submit your test results to that office by emailing them to SHS@mmc.edu.
• Students and employees with positive COVID-19 test results and who have no symptoms:
  • Individuals will be monitored by SEH and HR or SEH and their respective school.
  • Individuals should self-isolate in their residences for 10 days from the testing date.
  • During the period of isolation students should contact their instructors for guidance on how to continue their studies and other academic activities.
  • During the period of isolation employees should contact their supervisors and HR for guidance on how to continue their work and clearance to return to work, if they are working in person.
  • Individuals must be retested for COVID-19 on day 10 or 11 following their perceived date of exposure to COVID-19.
    • Individuals who do not know the date of exposure, must be retested on day 10 or 11 following the date of the initial test.
  • Following the period of self-isolation, individuals must receive one negative test result before returning to their academic, research, clinical, or office work.
  • Individuals who have questions or who develop symptoms during the period of isolation should contact the COVID-19 Hotline at 615-327-6093.
• Students and employees with positive COVID-19 test results and who are symptomatic:
  • Individuals will be monitored and managed by SEH and HR or SEH and their respective school.
  • Individuals should self-isolate in their residences for 10 days from the onset of their symptoms AND must be fever-free (without the use of fever-reducing medications) AND have improvement in symptoms for at least 24 hours..
  • During the period of isolation students should contact their instructors for guidance on how to continue their studies and other academic activities.
  • During the period of isolation employees should contact their supervisors and HR for guidance on how to continue their work and clearance to return to work, if they are working in person.
  • Individuals must be tested for COVID-19 on day 10 or 11 following the onset of symptoms.
  • Individuals must receive one negative test result and have no symptoms of COVID-19 for 72 hours without medication, before returning to their academic, research, clinical, or office work.
  • Students and Employees whose symptoms persist beyond 14 days:
    • May return to academic, research, clinical, or office work after receiving two negative test results (even though the symptoms may not have abated) as long as a fever is not present.
    • Cannot return to work at an Assessment site until they have received two negative test results and are asymptomatic.

Contact Student and Employee Health if you have additional questions about testing or returning to work.

If you have a case of COVID-19 reported in your office or suite

1. Individual is tested for COVID-19 by Student and Employee Health (SEH). This person is also referred to as the “target person.”
2. After testing, Student and Employee Health (SEH) sends to the target person notification that: 1) they are clear to return to work, or 2) they are to self-isolate.
3. A copy of that same document is also sent to the supervisor of that individual.
4. Protocol for target persons who have been cleared to return to work:
   1. Target person may continue their activities on campus.
5. Protocol for target persons who have not been cleared to return to work:
   1. Student and Employee Health (SEH) will initiate contact tracing.
   2. Target person must follow protocols established in “If you are a student or employee who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.”
   3. The supervisor will instruct all persons who share a working space, office, or suite with the target person to immediately leave the area and work from home until the area has been sanitized.
      1. If co-workers in the office or suite have had contact with the target person they will be contacted by Student and Employee Health (SEH) for the purpose of scheduling a time to be tested for COVID-19.
   4. If the target person has a physical space that is located within a suite, the entire suite will be vacated until sanitization of the entire area has been completed.
   5. The supervisor will contact Campus Operations to schedule sanitization of the space using the Campus Operations COVID-19 protocols. Note: the person’s name will not be included on the notification, only the location of the physical space on campus. The supervisor will help Campus Operations identify the exact areas to be sanitized.
   6. Campus Operations in consultation with the Environmental Health and Safety Officer (615-327-6642) and the Chemical and Biosafety Officer (in case of a research laboratory) of the College will initiate sanitization of the infected area using the Campus Operations COVID-19 protocols.
   7. Student and Employee Health (SEH) will forward a copy of the notification to the Executive Vice President (EVP) and to Human Resources.
6. Persons may return to work in their physical spaces once sanitization of the area has been completed. Please see the tables below for additional details.

Remember to keep up the habits that help prevent COVID-19 infection:

• Maintain social distancing—putting 6 feet of space between you and others in your daily interactions (to minimize any aerosol infection).
• Clean hands frequently with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitizer for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, throw the tissue away in a receptacle and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water.
• Wear a mask when in public and while at work and around others.
• Avoid social gatherings, particularly if you cannot maintain a distance of 6 ft or more.
• Avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. Take extra precautions if traveling with other members of the public. Be mindful of hot spots and areas of increased risk for transmission.
• Stay hydrated and get plenty of rest.

Return to Work Practices and Work Restrictions

• After returning to work, health care personnel should:
  • Wear eye protection in addition to the standard face mask for source control at all times while in a Meharry facility or testing site until all symptoms are completely resolved or at baseline.
  • Self-monitor for symptoms and seek re-evaluation from occupational health if symptoms recur or worsen.
• Non-clinical employees and students must continue to adhere to CDC guidance of social distance and wear face covering.

Preventing Illness

There are many vaccines and boosters available for COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to be vaccinated. The next best is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, the CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses. CDC does have specific guidance for travelers.

Returning Travelers

Consistent with CDC guidance, Meharry is instructing all community members and visitors returning to the United States from mainland China, South Korea, Iran and Italy to self-isolate for 14 days.

Any individual who may have been in contact with someone who has been infected by COVID-19 or who exhibits symptoms consistent with COVID-19 infection should also self-isolate.

Additionally, those who need to self-isolate should notify the college in order to receive health care monitoring and support and to protect the health and safety of our community.

The self-isolation guidance may change quickly, so please stay informed. For additional information on how to gauge your risk of COVID-19 infection, see the CDC website.

The college will work with students to minimize disruptions to their academic progress during the isolation period.

Important details regarding self-isolation procedures:

• Faculty, staff and students: All should contact their dean or supervisor to seek assistance while they must remain away from work or academic studies.
• Campus Residents: Campus residents who have traveled to China, South Korea, Iran or Italy within the past 14 days should self-isolate and contact Campus Housing at least 72 hours prior to their arrival on campus.

The Tennessee Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer resources for you to stay current. See the following for the latest status and recommendations.

• Department of Health website
• COVID-19 Public Information Hotline: (877) 857-2945, available daily, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

CDC information for:

• Health professionals
• General public

If you are an MMC/MMG employee or patient with fever, cough or shortness of breath and are concerned about the coronavirus, call (615)327-6093 to be assessed.

On Campus

Those with questions or concerns about coronavirus infection should contact the following:

• Employee/Student Health Center
• Departmental Dean’s Offices
• Communications and Marketing

Support for the Meharry Community

Services are available to support mental health and well-being during this time.

Other Resources

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control
• U.S. Department of State
• World Health Organization

Click here for detailed information on HEERF I, II, and III. >

FOR MMC/MMG PATIENTS AND EMPLOYEES

What to do if you are concerned you are ill with COVID-19

MMG patients with respiratory illnesses seeking more information about possible COVID-19 infection should call (615) 327-6348 from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. After hours please call 615.327.MD4U.

MMG employees with respiratory illnesses seeking more information about possible COVID-19 infection should call (615) 327-6093.

Before calling, please consider that if you do not have symptoms and would not ordinarily see your doctor based on how you feel now, you do not need evaluation or testing for COVID-19.

At this time, MMG clinicians will not assess patients for COVID-19 who are not exhibiting symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath.

If you do go to a clinic with fever, cough or shortness of breath, please call ahead so that our staff can meet you with a mask for your safety and the safety of other patients and our staff.

Latest information and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/index.html

Meharrians:

As we find ourselves in uncharted territory in the wake of COVID-19, it is understandable there may be concerns about HIPAA compliance and the COVID-19 pandemic. There may be confusion about what information can be shared about an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, those suspected of exposure to the virus, and those with whom data can be shared. Please be reminded that the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules still apply. The Security Rule is in place to ensure the security of patients’ protected health information (PHI) and requires safeguards to be implemented to protect disclosure.

However, effective March 15, the Department of Health and Human Services announced a limited HIPAA waiver intended to relax the following Privacy Rules:

• The requirements to obtain a patient’s agreement to speak with family members or friends involved in the patient’s care – 45 CFR 164.510(b)

• The requirement to honor a request to opt-out of the facility directory – 45 CFR 164.510(a);

• The requirement to distribute a notice of privacy practices – 45 CFR 164.520

• The patient’s right to request privacy restrictions – 45 CFR 164.522(a)

• The patient’s right to request confidential communications – 45 CFR 164.522(b)

So, what does this mean? The HIPAA waiver allows disclosure of PHI, as it relates to the COVID-19, without first receiving authorization from a patient for treatment purposes. It is also permissible to share PHI with public health authorities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and others responsible for ensuring the safety of the public, such as state and local health departments. Finally, disclosures of PHI is permitted to prevent and lessen a serious and imminent threat to a specific person or the public. A provider should use their discretion and professional judgment when determining whom to notify (i.e., staff, leadership, patient’s family) if a patient tests positive for COVID-19 about the nature and the severity of the threat.

The HIPAA waiver is applicable for a period of 72 hours from the time the COVID-19 protocol is implemented and only applies to health-related matters associated with COVID-19.

As we strive to provide superior patient care during this rapidly changing environment, let us not forget our continuous obligation to patient rights.

If you have any questions or concerns related to the limited HIPAA waiver, please contact the Compliance and Risk Management office at 615.327.6780 or compliance@mmc.edu.