Coronavirus update - April 24, 2020

coronavirus labelled test tube

Coronavirus update - April 24, 2020

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

A message from Dr. John Chiasson, Professional Support Program director
As we try to wrap our heads around the weekend’s tragic events and the senseless loss of so many innocent lives, I want to remind you that help is available. Whether you were directly connected to it or not, the tragedy intensifies the stress of the pandemic and the pressure on our lives due to the measures we are all following. 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.

LifeWorks by Morneau Shepell is also available to members and their families affected by the events in Portapique and surrounding communities. The crisis support line is open 24-7. Call 1-844-751-2133. 

How traumatic events affect us 

What’s new?

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

  • Today, 23 new cases of COVID-19 were announced, bringing the total in Nova Scotia to 850.
    • To date, there have been 16 COVID-19 deaths
    • Eleven individuals are in hospital (three in ICU) and 392 have recovered
    • To date, Nova Scotia has had 24,521 negative test results
    • As of April 23, there were 10 licensed long-term care homes and unlicensed seniors’ facilities in Nova Scotia with cases of COVID-19, involving 189 residents and 82 staff
    • Government will cover extra dispensing fees for Pharmacare clients for refills on prescriptions that would normally be filled for longer periods. The recent move to protect drug supply during the pandemic has reduced long-term prescriptions to 30 days, which has increased dispensing costs for seniors
    • 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 42,750 cases (42,739 confirmed) and 2,197 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

Well-child and prenatal care during COVID-19
Choosing Wisely Canada has a resource to help family practices care for children and pregnant women through the pandemic. See the interim schedule suggested for well-child visits (including vaccines) and low-risk prenatal visits.

WCB Nova Scotia’s position on health services during COVID-19
For health services such as physiotherapy or chiropractic treatments, the Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia supports virtual care. If you have a patient who was injured in the workplace and needs those services for their recovery and return-to-work plan, they should not wait to seek treatment. For more information, click here.

New NSHA in-home blood collection services for eligible patients
The Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) announced in-home blood collection service will start Monday, April 27 for patients requiring urgent/time-sensitive testing for immediate diagnosis or chronic illness management who cannot leave their home due to illness, mobility challenges, isolation due to COVID-19 or risk of undue hardship. The patient’s physician or nurse practitioner will initiate request for this service through the NSHA Continuing Care referral process. Read more

UPDATED! NSHA COVID-19 PPE recommendations
COVID-19: Personal protective equipment (PPE) recommendations at a glance has been developed to determine the right PPE at the right time while providing patient care.

UPDATED! NSHA return-to-work guidelines for health-care workers with COVID-19
Effective April 17, 2020, health-care workers may return to work if they are:

  • A minimum of 10 days from symptom onset
  • Do not present with a fever
  • Are clinically improved
  • Demonstrate an improvement in respiratory symptoms

All criteria must be met for the employee to return to work through Occupational Health Safety and Wellness (OHSW). Learn more

Webinars

Choosing Wisely Canada webinar
Dr. David Juurlink will discuss safety considerations with chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin in the management of COVID-19. When: April 29 at noon to 1:00 p.m. (EST). Register today

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: Monday, April 27 at 4–5 p.m. – Dr. Lara Hazelton on setting personal and professional priorities in the midst of a pandemic. Click here for the Zoom meeting link. Password is 050891

Webinar recordings
Review the slide deck and watch the April 21 webinar ‘Clinical decision making in the time of COVID-19 and Choosing Wisely.’ Check out all the previous webinars on the DNS COVID-19 info hub.

Watch the Less is more: resource stewardship in primary care during COVID-19 webinar with Dr. Kimberly Wintemute, primary care co-lead of Choosing Wisely Canada. Learn how primary care practices are reorganizing resources to protect staff and ensure continuity of care during COVID-19.

Reminders

Letter to the editor
Dr. Gary Ernest has issued a letter to the editor today, reminding Nova Scotians that doctors’ offices are open and urging them not to neglect their health during the pandemic. Read more

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.

Medical students advocate for emergency child-care for essential workers during COVID-19
Dalhousie Students for Healthcare Providers (DSHP) has written a letter of support for a provincial child-care strategy for essential workers. The DSHP seeks your support. Please read the letter and fill out the signature section.

Kids Help Phone support available
Kids Help Phone is offering help for children, adults and front-line workers struggling after the tragic shootings. For free, confidential, 24-7 support, young people can text NSSTRONG to 686868, adults can text NSSTRONG to 741741, and front-line workers can text FRONTLINE to 741741. Or call 1-800-668-6868. Those needing help will communicate with a caring person who will listen and provide support. Learn more

NSHA palliative care coverage
A zone-based palliative care call coverage system is available in response to the potential need for support to manage complex issues related to COVID-19. Your colleagues are available by phone to provide advice. Learn more

Zoom for Healthcare
Our partners are working together to provide a secure online environment. Enhanced security features already in Zoom for Healthcare include having a meeting ID and password created for each meeting, so only the health-care provider and designated patient can join the meeting. If you have any questions, visit https://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/telehealth-zoom or email VirtualCare@nshealth.ca.

Free mental health support for all
Wellness Together Canada is available 24 hours a day and includes free telephone and video counselling sessions. Learn more at www.wellnesstogether.ca or call 1-866-585-0445.

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