What’s new?

To monitor data on a daily basis, see the Nova Scotia and Canadian data pages.

• Three new cases were announced on Oct. 10 in the Central Zone. Two cases are related to travel outside of Canada, and the third is a close contact of them. The individuals have been self-isolating, as required. None of these cases is related to the outbreak in New Brunswick
• There was a potential exposure to COVID-19 on Air Canada flight 626 on Sept. 30 from Toronto to Halifax. It left Toronto at 9 p.m. and arrived in Halifax at 12:14 a.m. on Oct. 1. Passengers in rows 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30, in seats D, E and F are more likely to have had close contact
• The premier announced changes to cabinet. Leo Glavine is the new health minister. Learn more

Shoulder injury risk in drive through flu vaccine clinics
Public Health has advised of a rare vaccine administration complication resulting from vaccine being injected too high in the shoulder joint. This can cause shoulder pain and restricted range of movement. Symptoms may begin at the time of injection and can last weeks to years. Bursitis is the most reported diagnosis. To minimize risk, expose the entire upper arm so landmarks are easily discernible to find the correct injection site.

Online booking service now available for five more Nova Scotia Health sites
Online blood collection appointments can now be booked at the QEII Halifax Infirmary, Yarmouth Regional Hospital and Valley Regional Hospital. Appointments for blood collection and X-ray can be booked at Hants Community Hospital and Glace Bay Hospital. Learn more

Reminders

CMPA guidance for drive-in or drive-through flu shot clinics

• Any complaint arising will be evaluated by the College in the context of COVID-19
• Patients must be supervised for an appropriate time after injection and must not leave the parking lot/drive-through area
• Consider creating private space (e.g., screen) for patients during injection
• Physicians should be careful to delegate responsibility to other health professionals only as appropriate
• Physicians should record patient consent to the vaccine in a non-traditional setting in their patient record

Webinars

Tomorrow night! Preventing COVID-19 transmission in schools
Join Drs. Heather Davis, Jennifer Cram, Daniela Kempkens, and Jeannette Comeau to discuss the public health measures to prevent COVID-19 transmission in schools, including when students should stay home and when they are permitted to return, plus guidance for students with specialized health-care needs. When: Wednesday, Oct. 14, 7 – 9 p.m. Register here

Family medicine in the new normal
Reopening a family practice safely can be daunting. In this session, infectious disease experts Drs. Lynn Johnston and Jeannette Comeau will discuss what is known about COVID-19 in both adults and children, how COVID-19 is the new normal and considerations for safe care of patients in person. When: Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 7 – 9 p.m. Register today

COVID, Simulation and the Second Wave: What you need to know to prepare
This webinar is presented by The Sim Ed Collaborative as part of the Faculty of Medicine FacDev Thursday Seminar Series. When: Thursday Oct. 29 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Join here

DNS webinar recordings
Did you miss the Oct. 6 webinar “Seasonal flu and COVID-19”? Listen to a recording of the webinar here. Dr. Shelly McNeil, division of infectious diseases, Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics and Stacey Dunphy, Nova Scotia Health’s provincial immunization coordinator, discussed the complexities of seasonal flu during the pandemic as well as flu vaccine supply and distribution.

Check out recordings of previous webinars on the DNS COVID-19 info hub.

ICYMI

Free personal protective equipment extended to Oct. 31
Click here to submit a request to the Department of Health and Wellness for personal protective equipment for physicians and their staff. Your organization will be notified by email of the approved supply and instructions for online ordering. For more information, email PPErequest@novascotia.ca.

Physician resilience COVID-19 study 
Drs. Jackie Kinley and John Chiasson provided daily support sessions and webinars to help physicians cope during the COVID-19 pandemic. Physicians are invited to complete a brief survey about the experience to help guide the response for the next wave of COVID-19. Take the survey

DNS staff, meetings and events
All DNS meetings and events have moved to a virtual format. You may reach staff by email or by calling 902-468-1866 or toll free at 1-800-563-3427.

Resources

Note: See the DNS COVID-19 hub for a complete list of COVID-19 resources.

• Navigating work exemption requests during COVID-19
• Medical appointments for rotational workers
• CMA Physician Wellness Hub
• Nova Scotia Health’s Addictions Medicine Consult Service FAQ or information card 
• COVID-19 Signs, Symptoms and Severity of Disease – A Clinician Guide – June 18, 2020
• Nova Scotia Health guidelines for re-introduction of in-office primary care
• Updated: Guidance for physician employers (legal information)
• Medical students provide companionship to isolated patients - The Rural and Isolated Support Endeavor (RISE)

Information hubs to watch

• Nova Scotia Health updates and service cancellations
• IWK updates and service cancellations
• Doctor Nova Scotia updates and information
• Dalhousie CPD COVID-19 webpage
• Department of Health and Wellness
• 811 assessment – when to call
• Government of Canada
• Canadian Medical Association
• Canadian Pediatric Society COVID-19 resources for the care of children