Coronavirus update - June 19, 2020

coronavirus labelled test tube

Coronavirus update - June 19, 2020

The COVID-19 situation in Nova Scotia is changing rapidly. Check the links at the bottom for the latest updates.

Feeling overwhelmed or need to talk to someone?
Contact the Doctors Nova Scotia (DNS) Professional Support Program at 902-468-8215 or 1-855-275-8215 (toll-free), via email or join the weekly Zoom meeting – see details below under webinars.

This will be the last week of daily COVID-19 updates. Starting next week, DNS will provide twice-weekly updates on Tuesdays and Thursdays, unless significant news or issues warrant more frequent communication.

What’s new?

  • Today, no new cases of COVID-19 were announced, keeping the total confirmed cases in Nova Scotia at 1,061.
    • There is one active case and 998 resolved cases
    • Two individuals are currently in hospital, one in ICU. One person’s COVID-19 infection is resolved, but they remain in hospital
    • The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Nova Scotia is 62
    • To date, Nova Scotia has had 50,540 negative test results. Negative test results can be emailed to Nova Scotians
    • Reminder: New gathering limits were announced; people can now gather in groups of up to 10 without physical distancing. Gatherings of up to 50 are now allowed but people must observe physical distancing of two metres (six feet); this applies to social events, faith gatherings, sports and physical activities, weddings and funerals, and arts and culture events like theatre performances, dance recitals, festivals and concerts.
    • Starting today, the IWK Health Centre will allow one support person for patients admitted to the IWK’s prenatal special care (7A) and one support person for adult surgery patients requiring an inpatient stay
    • Beginning Tuesday, June 23, some Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) hospital visitor restrictions will ease. Hospital inpatients will be permitted to identify one designated essential support person as a visitor. The designated person can change each week
  • Nationally, there are 100,220 total cases, 8,300 deaths and 2,295,440 Canadians tested for COVID-19.

Action Required: Reducing physician administrative burden
The Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness is leading a pilot project to identify actions to reduce unnecessary administrative burden on Nova Scotia doctors. Take this 15-minute survey on the nature and impact of unnecessary administrative burden. Survey closes at 11:59 p.m. on June 26.

Take vacation on the Income Stability Program
Physicians can take a short leave of absence from their practice during the pandemic (see Clause 18 of the Income Stability Program), provided the leave is approved in advance and in writing by the Department of Health and Wellness. Email requests to Vimy Glass. Program payments will continue during the leave.

Extension of virtual care fees
Doctors Nova Scotia has learned that the government will be extending virtual care fee codes until the end of September. When we have more information, we will provide an update.

Webinars

Reducing physician administrative burden
This webinar will provide an overview of the unnecessary physician administrative burden pilot project and the role of the Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness, including what they’ve have learned so far and what they’re planning for the short term. When: Tuesday, June 23 at 7 p.m. Register here

DNS webinar recordings
If you missed the June 16 webinar “Obesity in the era of COVID-19,” you can listen to the recording of Dr. Laura Reardon’s presentation. She discussed why obesity increases the severity of COVID-19 and shared considerations and treatment plans for people living with obesity during the pandemic and beyond. Check out previous webinars on the DNS COVID-19 info hub.

Physician support session on Wednesdays
A weekly Zoom session on coping with COVID-19 is held on Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. and is open to all physicians. Click here for the Zoom meeting link. Password is 975004                                          

Choosing Wisely Canada webinar: Sustainably and safely supporting the medical needs of long-term care residents in the COVID-19 pandemic
Tune-in to a webinar with Dr. Andrea Moser, a family physician focusing on care of the elderly at Baycrest Geriatric Health Sciences. Dr. Moser will discuss increased medical care and support for residents in long-term care, and how to avoid unnecessary hospital transfers. Dr. Brian Wong, a general internist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, will speak following the presentation. When: Wednesday, June 24 at 12–1 p.m. (ET) Register here

Reminders

CMA Wellness Support Line
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) has launched a Wellness Support Line, providing confidential and bilingual mental health support to physicians, medical learners and their families. Funded by Scotiabank and MD Financial Management, the line is linked with the DNS Professional Support Program (PSP) and is available 24-7 to offer physicians enhanced support, such as crisis counselling and risk assessment. You don’t need to be a CMA member to call. To use the service, call the PSP at 902-468-8215 or 1-855-275-8215 (toll-free).

Update on personal protective equipment
The Department of Health and Wellness will be supplying community-based physicians and their staff with personal protective equipment (PPE) at no cost for the next 90 days. Click here to submit a request for PPE. When your request is processed, your organization’s primary contact will be notified by email of the approved supply that can be accessed and instructions to set up online ordering. For more information, email PPErequest@novascotia.ca.

Balint support group
The Nova Scotia Physicians’ Balint group is led by Drs. Nicole Herschenhous and Ali Manning. Interested in future Balint groups? Email alexandra.manning@nshealth.ca to add your name to the interest list. 

Joule COVID-19 innovation grants – three days left to apply
Joule and the Canadian Medical Association are providing up to $1 million for physician-led, health care innovations relating to COVID-19. Apply online before 11:59 p.m. on June 21. Learn more

Physiotherapy services – protecting the health of Nova Scotians
The Nova Scotia Physiotherapy Association advises that clinics are re-opening across Nova Scotia.

Feed Nova Scotia COVID-19 Food Box Program
The program provides home delivery of food to Nova Scotians who need food support and can’t get to a food bank or other food support program. Individuals can call 211 weekdays to determine if this program is a good fit.

Medical students provide companionship to isolated patients
The Rural and Isolated Support Endeavor (RISE) matches patients with medical students from across Canada who provide weekly phone calls to provide emotional support and companionship.

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

Information hubs to watch