What’s new?

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

• The phone number to make lab (blood) collection appointments for Strait Richmond Hospital is back in service.
• There were potential COVID-19 exposures:
  • On WestJet flight WS 232 on Sept. 7 from Calgary to Halifax. It departed Calgary at 9:30 a.m. and arrived in Halifax at 5:14 p.m. Passengers in rows 4 to 10, seats D, E and F are more likely to have had close contact
  • In the fitness centre at Canada Games Centre, 26 Thomas Raddall Drive, Halifax on Aug. 28, 29 and 30 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 from 5 – 8 p.m.
• Beginning today Nova Scotia Health and the IWK has made changes to their visitor restrictions. Learn more

CMA Physician Wellness Hub
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) has launched the CMA Physician Wellness Hub, a searchable collection of nearly 300 resources, tools and studies on topics such as physician burnout, depression, peer support and organizational wellness. It’s also a place for physicians, residents and medical students to connect with colleagues interested in wellness.

Quick COVID-19 Primary Care Survey
This week’s survey asks how physicians are dealing with deferred care, preventative care and more, including their thoughts on preparing for a resurgence of COVID-19 in their region. Please take less than five minutes to share your experiences. The survey opens after midnight on Friday and closes at midnight on Monday. Take the survey​​​​​​​

Reminders

Special bulletin from Dr. Rob Strang
The revised 811 screening criteria for testing now includes if in the past 48 hours a person has had or is currently experiencing fever or cough (new or worsening) or two or more of the following symptoms (new or worsening): sore throat, runny nose, headache, shortness of breath. Dr. Strang emphasized the need to screen patients virtually for illness before in-person visits and to screen people who should be self-isolating to ensure they are compliant. He also provided information for office-based infection prevention and control. Read the memo

Free personal protective equipment extended until Oct. 31
The Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) is providing community-based physicians and their staff with personal protective equipment (PPE) at no cost until Oct. 31. Click here to submit a request to DHW for PPE. Your organization will be notified by email of the approved supply and instructions for online ordering. For more information, email PPErequest@novascotia.ca.

Webinars
Doctors Nova Scotia-hosted webinars and physician support sessions via Zoom have ended for the time being.

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

ICYMI

Virtual care survey
Nova Scotia Health and the IWK Health Centre are surveying care providers on their experience using virtual care tools made available as a result of COVID-19. The information gathered from the survey will be used in a rapid review study led by Dr. Tara Sampalli (NSH) and Dr. Jordan Sheriko (IWK).  The information collected for the review will help inform future planning as it relates to virtual care. Complete the survey

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

Seasonal flu and COVID-19 clinic considerations
Public health has provided preliminary information to help physicians plan to immunize patients for seasonal flu:

• Everyone six-months of age and older is eligible for influenza vaccine
• Vaccine should be available the week after Thanksgiving (Oct. 12) barring any vaccine supply delivery issues from manufacturers. Public health suggests starting the program after Thanksgiving and holding larger clinics towards November to ensure the majority of Nova Scotia’s supply is available. Vaccine could be late and public health indicates the initial supply will be equitably distributed to all providers
• Vaccine will be available from public health over several months (shipments have not arrived yet for the publicly funded program). In the new year, physicians may order vaccine from local public health offices if needed.
• Patients should wait 15 minutes after receiving the flu vaccine in case of syncope (fainting). This must be taken into consideration due to space needed to accommodate social distancing and potential plans for drive-up clinics, where drivers and passengers will need parking space to wait. Consider having family bubbles attend flu shot clinics together so that shots can be administered and they can wait together

Federal recommendations on flu vaccine delivery
The federal government has released guidance for influenza vaccine delivery in the presence of COVID-19.

Addictions Medicine Consult Service

Nova Scotia Health’s Addictions Medicine Consult Service provides rapid addictions medicine consultant advice. The service is available weekdays 8:30a.m.-4:30 p.m. by calling 1-855-970-0234. Learn more: FAQ or information card.

DNS staff, meetings and events
All DNS meetings and events are cancelled or have moved to a virtual meeting. 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
• 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