From : Cummings, Sarah R (Tbilisi) <CummingsSR@state.gov>
To : Maia Nikoleishvili <mnikoleishvili@moh.gov.ge>
Subject : RE: US Embassy COVID Protocol for Short-Term Embassy Business Travelers
Cc : Tamar Gabunia <tgabunia@moh.gov.ge>
Received On : 09.09.2020 11:23

Dear Maia and Dr. Gabunia,


Thank you for your kind response and understanding. 

 

To formalize this process, is there any additional paperwork you will need from us in the form of a Diplomatic Note?  This would assist with informing the Holiday Inn of the change in protocol and could also be passed to our colleagues at the MFA to continue to ensure a smooth process.

 

I await your thoughts.

 

Best regards,

Sarah

 

 

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED

From: Maia Nikoleishvili
Sent: Wednesday, September 9, 2020 2:58 PM
To: Cummings, Sarah R (Tbilisi)
Cc: Tamar Gabunia
Subject: RE: US Embassy COVID Protocol for Short-Term Embassy Business Travelers

 

Dear Sarah,

Many thanks for your e-mail.

We highly appreciate US Embassy efforts rendered towards the proper management of the US diplomats self-isolation.

On behalf of Dr. Tamar  Gabunia, I would like to kindly inform you that the government of Georgia has no objection regarding your proposal, which envisages isolation and treatment of US business diplomats at the medical unit of the Embassy in case of COVID-19 asymptotic or mild cases.

We also express our readiness to coordinate/assist in transportation of COVID positive patients from Holliday Inn to the designated quarantine facility by ambulance service in order to resume medical care and responsibility from your side and in case of moderate or severe symptoms we will do our best to provide high quality medical care at the relevant inpatient facility.

If you have additional questions please, let us know.

Thank you once again for continued and fruitful collaboration.

Best regards,

Maia

 

From: Cummings, Sarah R (Tbilisi) <CummingsSR@state.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, September 9, 2020 9:59 AM
To: Tamar Gabunia <tgabunia@moh.gov.ge>
Cc: Maia Nikoleishvili <mnikoleishvili@moh.gov.ge>
Subject: US Embassy COVID Protocol for Short-Term Embassy Business Travelers

 

Dear Dr. Gabunia, 

 

Good morning!  I am writing at the recommendation of Maia Nikoleishvili to clarify the process for United States diplomats entering the country as short-term Embassy business travelers.  Currently, we are following the guidelines of the Ministry of Health.  Our diplomatic travelers are transferred to the Holiday Inn where they undergo initial PCR testing and, following a negative result, are released.  The Embassy Medical Unit continues to monitor their symptoms and perform repeat testing every 72 hours for 12 days.  

 

My concern is what will happen if our business travelers have a positive PCR result.  I am hopeful we can clarify the protocol to ensure a smooth process for everyone and maintain the high confidence the Georgian government has in our ability to follow the government's COVID health-related guidelines.  

 

Currently, the United States Embassy in Tbilisi has a fully equipped medical clinic.  It is staffed by myself, two local physicians, and a nurse.  We have a previous understanding with NCDC and the Infectious Diseases, AIDS, and Clinical Immunology Research Center that any US diplomatic asymptotic or mild positive COVID cases will not be isolated in a Georgian medical facility.  Instead, the Medical Unit accepts responsibility for their medical care and we would monitor, treat, and isolate these patients away from the rest of the population. 

 

We would be grateful to extend this practice to our business diplomats so they are not transported from the Holiday Inn to an outside medical facility without our knowledge.   Once a positive PCR result is received, we request support of the Georgian COVID ambulance service to transport the patient to our small quarantine facility where we will resume medical care and responsibility.  If the patient was to progress to moderate or severe symptoms, we would then work with public health officials to move them to a higher level of care within the Georgian health system. 


Thank you for your consideration during this busy time.  Please let me know what questions I can answer.  I am also available by phone to discuss at +995-591-018-165. 

 

Best Regards, 

Sarah Cummings

Medical Attache

US Embassy Tbilisi