Coronavirus update - April 20, 2020

coronavirus labelled test tube

Coronavirus update - April 20, 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 a Zoom meeting—see details below under webinars.

 

When tragedy strikes

It’s difficult to fathom that our province must endure more than the COVID-19 pandemic. The senseless tragedy that took place in Central Nova over the weekend has rocked all Nova Scotians. Things like this don’t happen in our province. While we don’t yet know why it happened, we must process this terrible event in the context of the daily saddening events of the pandemic. These are extremely difficult times. Please reach out to Doctors Nova Scotia (DNS) for support, talk to your colleagues and hold your loved ones tight.

NSHA hosted event

Plan to attend the session “Addressing grief within the health-care community: Mine, yours and ours” with Serena Lewis and Roy Ellis, bereavement and grief coordinators with the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) on April 23 from 9:30–10:30 a.m. Learn how loss is intertwined personally and within the community of care. The hosts welcome feedback on topics that will benefit you in the upcoming weeks as you care for yourself, your family members and your patients. Click here for the Zoom link 

What’s new?

The state of emergency in Nova Scotia has been extended until noon on May 3, 2020.

  • Today, 46 new cases of COVID-19 were announced and 69 new cases were announced over the weekend, bringing the total in Nova Scotia to 721.
    • Five deaths occurred at Northwood’s Halifax Campus over the April 18-19 weekend, bringing the total number of COVID-19 deaths in Nova Scotia to nine
    • An emergency plan has been launched to support Northwood, which includes moving recovered patients offsite, adding staff from across the province and testing/treating residents at the facility
    • Twelve individuals are in hospital (four in ICU) and 248 have recovered
    • To date, Nova Scotia has had 21,769 negative test results
    • As of April 19, there were nine licensed long-term care homes and unlicensed seniors’ facilities in Nova Scotia with cases of COVID-19, involving 127 residents and 61 staff.
    • New potential exposures were announced at Sobeys in Spryfield (April 14, 15, 16), at Giant Tiger, 114 Woodlawn Dr., Dartmouth (April 13), and Bob’s Taxi in Dartmouth (April 4-15) involving one cab
    • Provincial modelling to June 30, 2020: with good compliance, cases are estimated to be 1,453 (with 35 hospitalizations at peak). With poor compliance, cases could be closer to 6,269 (with 85 hospitalizations at peak). Current measures have reduced cases by about 50%
  • Nationally, there are 35,392 cases (35,383 confirmed) and 1,611 deaths from COVID-19 
    • National modelling predicts that with strong controls, Canada could see 934,000–1.9 million or more cases, 22,000 deaths and 23,000–46,000 ICU admissions. The picture is bleaker if public health measures are not followed

Zoom for Healthcare privacy and security response
Our partners are working together to provide a secure online environment for those using Zoom for Healthcare to deliver care at the NSHA, the IWK and in the community. There are enhanced security features already activated in the Zoom for Healthcare application. For example, a meeting ID and password is automatically generated for every scheduled virtual meeting that only allows the health-care provider and designated patient to join the meeting.  If you have any questions, visit https://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/telehealth-zoom or email VirtualCare@nshealth.ca.

Leading the Way podcast with Dr. Brendan Carr
Listen to Dr. Brendan Carr, President and CEO of the NSHA, on the authority’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Canadian Society of Physician Leaders’ Leading the Way podcast.

Webinars

Critical Thinking in the Time of COVID-19
Join Drs. Pat Croskerry, director of critical thinking program at Dalhousie Medical School, and Sam Campbell, emergency medicine, for this two-hour CPD-accredited webinar to learn how COVID-19 can affect your ability to think critically. When: Tuesday, April 21 at 7–9 p.m. REGISTER HERE

Daily Zoom meetings: Coping with COVID-19

Join Drs. Jaqueline Kinley and John Chiasson for daily online meetings (via Zoom) to chat about coping strategies and mental health concerns. Meetings are now held daily (Monday–Friday) from noon to 1 p.m. and are open to all physicians. Click here for the Zoom meeting link Password is 975004

Special Zoom session: Wednesday, April 22 at 4–5 p.m. – Dr. J. Sadek on checking your stress level: How do you know and what to do? Click here for the Zoom meeting link. Password is 050891

Webinar recordings
Watch the April 16 webinar (Understanding physician income stability in Nova Scotia) and check out all the previous webinars on the DNS COVID-19 hub.

Reminders

Care during COVID-19: Tips for managing physician clinics during coronavirus

Doctors Nova Scotia has created a tool kit of helpful advice from physicians across the province and other provincial/territorial medical associations.

New CMA resources

Showing appreciation for our front-line workers
The CMA launched covidkindness.ca to share positive stories from the front line. Members of the public can show appreciation to health-care workers and share stories on social media using the hashtag #covidkindness.

Using blood wisely campaign
See resources on reducing unnecessary use of blood products to help conserve the supply during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

Reference materials, resources, posters, public education and PPE

Information hubs to watch