COVID-19 Update: Latest news and revised symptoms list
Eligible individuals across the country are receiving their first, and even second, dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. At the same time, many others have been placed on waitlists or had their appointments canceled due to lack of vaccine availability. Rest assured, supplies will continue to improve, vaccination centers will increase efficiencies, and wait times will decrease. If you have found yourself in this frustrating position, please be patient!
Below are several timely updates on vaccinations and other COVID-related topics.
Vaccination through your local jurisdiction: OSHEM’s Occupational Health Services (OHS) staff are still working to obtain vaccine supplies for our employees, but please do not wait to be vaccinated through OHS. If you are eligible, register to be vaccinated through your state or locality’s system. A list of COVID-19 vaccine resources can be found here. When you receive a vaccination, please send documentation to OHS’s dedicated email address at OHS-MedicalReview@si.edu.
Phishing schemes: As is often the case when a crisis emerges, scammers take advantage of stress and uncertainty. Some staff are reporting that they have received suspicious emails to their personal accounts that appear to be from the CDC Vaccine Administration Management System or other groups asking them to register for vaccination – a ruse for scammers to collect personal information or fraudulently try to sell vaccines. OCIO discussed this in detail in their IT Security Awareness Newsletter sent on January 28. Please be especially aware of the following signs of fraudulent activity: advertisements for early access to vaccines for payment, requests to pay out of pocket to be placed on the vaccination list, unsolicited emails or calls to determine vaccine eligibility, or any request for your social security number or bank account information. This Health and Human Services fact sheet can help you learn more about these scams.
Updated list of symptoms associated with COVID-19: The CDC has added additional common symptoms to the list of the top symptoms indicative of COVID-19. These include congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea. The daily health screening questions have been updated to reflect the changes. If you have these, or any other unusual-for-you symptoms, even mild ones that you would typically ignore, do not come to the workplace. If you’re sick, stay home! Contact your physician and follow their advice.
Employee testing program: Testing is the only way to know for sure if you have the disease as many people remain asymptomatic even when they have COVID-19. To prevent the spread of COVID-19 on site, OHS has initiated an employee testing program for staff who have been placed in quarantine after being deemed a primary contact. This risk mitigation measure is another step the Smithsonian is taking to keep our workplace safe for those who must be on site.
We will continue to communicate any changes, on vaccines and other topics, that may impact our community. In the meantime, please visit the COVID-19 website to make sure you have the latest information. Should you have any questions, please reach out to the Response Team. Thank you, as always, for your attention and concern on these matters.
Stay safe and be well,
COVID-19 Response Team
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Posted: 1 February 2021
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