Coronavirus update - July 23, 2020

Coronavirus update - July 23, 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?
It’s a stressful time to be practising medicine. Contact the Doctors Nova Scotia (DNS) Professional Support Program at 902-468-8215 or 1-855-275-8215 (toll-free), or via email.

Doctors Nova Scotia will provide twice-weekly updates on Tuesdays and Thursdays unless significant news or issues warrant additional communication.

What’s new?

  • Today,is the eighth straight day with no new cases, keeping the total number of confirmed cases in Nova Scotia at 1,067.
    • There is one active case and 1,003 resolved cases
    • The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Nova Scotia is 63
    • To date, Nova Scotia has had 61,239 negative test results
    • Public school students across the province will return to class on Tuesday, Sept. 8
      • Regional Centres for Education and the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial will have plans for enhanced cleaning, physical distancing and situations specific to schools in their area
      • Classrooms will be reorganized to increase spacing
      • Each class will be treated as a bubble to minimize contact with other students
      • There will be enhanced cleaning on school buses. School bus riders and drivers will need to wear a mask
      • Staff and students in high school will be required to wear a mask in school spaces where social distancing is not possible, for example in hallways and common areas. Students and staff do not have to wear a mask in class unless they want to or if they are working with a student whose individual program plan requires a mask to be worn
      • Regular handwashing or hand sanitizing by students and staff will be required before entering school for classes and throughout the day
      • In-school assemblies and other large gatherings will not be permitted
      • Cafeterias and school food programs will deliver food to students. Students will eat lunch at their desks
      • Students will have the opportunity to engage in all subject areas, although some subject areas may look different
    • New phone numbers are available to book blood collection appointments at three Eastern Zone hospitals
      • Cape Breton Regional Hospital: 902-563-8545, Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–3 p.m. (excluding holidays)
      • Glace Bay Hospital: 902-842-2830, Monday–Friday, 1–3 p.m. (excluding holidays)
      • St. Martha’s Regional Hospital: 902-867-8821, Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–3 p.m. (excluding holidays) 
    • Effective today, patients and visitors will be required to wear non-medical masks when entering hospitals and health-care facilities
      • Staff and physicians working in both clinical and non-clinical areas are required to wear a non-medical mask when they enter the building until they arrive at their office or work station and in public areas such as elevators and lobbies. Learn more
  • Nationally, there are 112,240 total cases, 8,870 deaths and 3,679,778 Canadians tested for COVID-19.

Quick COVID-19 primary care survey
Over the last few weeks there has been a pause in distributing the Quick COVID-19 primary care survey. It’s back and will be focusing on how your practice workflow has changed as you’ve re-established care. It will examine the things you’ve done: what’s worked and what hasn’t worked. Please take four minutes to complete this week’s survey. Take the survey (opens tomorrow morning, closes 11:59 p.m. on Monday).

Microbiology lab testing resumes
The Microbiology Laboratory at the QEII Health Sciences Centre has resumed processing test requests for herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella zoster (VZV) and norovirus that were suspended during the first wave of COVID-19. Due to an expected second wave of COVID-19, the distribution of both viral and Hologic multi-test swabs (used for STI testing) will continue to be restricted. Learn more

Primary and Integrated Health Care Innovations Network, summer learning series
Dr. Rebecca Etz and panelists will discuss the key findings from the Quick COVID-19 Primary Care Surveys. They will explain how the results are being used to inform policy that could positively influence the lives of primary care clinicians. The clinician survey is now being done in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Register here 

Webinars

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

Choosing Wisely Canada is offering a webinar on July 29 from noon-1p.m. (EST): Pandemic pregnancy: Safety considerations for prenatal visits during COVID-19 with Dr. Tali Bogler.  Learn more

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

Reminders

Requests for personal protective equipment
The Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) is providing 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 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.

Income stabilization program ended
Shadow bill for services provided through to end of day July 13. Bill services provided on or after July 14 fee-for-service (FFS). The July 29 payment will include a prorated ISP payment and FFS billings from July 14-23. Questions? Email Jessica Moore.

Navigating work exemption requests during COVID-19
Doctors Nova Scotia (DNS) has created a guide to help family physicians respond to work exemption requests.

Expanded hours for central zone blood collection appointments
The central zone blood collection booking hours have expanded to weekdays (excluding holidays) from 7a.m.-11p.m. and on Saturdays from 7a.m.-3p.m. by calling 902-473-2074 or 1-833-942-2298. Patients who require urgent collection must communicate this when booking.

NEW 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 

CMA Wellness Support Line
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) has launched a Wellness Support Line. The line is linked with the DNS Professional Support Program (PSP) and is available 24-7. Call the PSP at 902-468-8215 or 1-855-275-8215 (toll-free).

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.

Information hubs to watch