Coronavirus update - July 30, 2020

coronavirus labelled test tube

Coronavirus update - July 30, 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 fifteenth day of no new cases of COVID-19, keeping the total number of confirmed cases in Nova Scotia at 1,067.
    • There are no active cases and 1,003 resolved cases
    • The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Nova Scotia is 64
    • To date, Nova Scotia has had 63,212 negative test results
    • Starting tomorrow, non-medical masks will be mandatory in all indoor public places, including: retail businesses and shopping centres; buses and ferries; salons and barber shops; and restaurants and bars (except while eating or drinking). Read an FAQ on wearing masks in indoor public spaces
      • Children under two are exempt, as well as children aged two to four when their caregiver cannot get them to wear a mask.
      • People with a valid medical reason for not wearing a mask are exempt.
      • Performers and officiants at events who are required to talk or sing do not have to wear a mask for these activities.
      • People are asked to use their own masks. Government will help with initial supplies of masks for people who cannot bring their own
    • Further clarification on masks from Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health:
      • People with a valid medical reason for not wearing a mask are exempt. However, there are few medical reasons not to wear a mask and no evidence that wearing a mask worsens chronic lung conditions.
      • There is no expectation that physicians will provide medical certificates confirming that a person has a valid medical reason
      • Operators of indoor public places are not responsible to enforce the use of masks; if they choose to do so they must accommodate people with a valid medical exemption
      • Private offices, including health-care offices, are encouraged to adopt a workplace policy requiring the wearing of masks by staff, customers and visitors in common areas of the office space
      • Read the current COVID-19 public health order
    • Regarding the recent release of Nova Scotia’s public school re-entry plan, Dr. Strang clarifies his office’s position on private schools to provide public health guidance with respect to COVID-19 safety, which private schools can apply as they make comprehensive plans for their own institutions. Nova Scotia public health does not have the capacity to review plans from individual schools.
    • 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)
    • Patients and visitors are now 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 115,470 total cases, 8,917 deaths and 3,946,565 Canadians tested for COVID-19.

ECHO Coping with COVID program available across Canada
This free program is intended for Canadian health-care providers and residents responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal is to promote resilience, connection and wellness at a time that many people are experiencing isolation, burnout and stress. Sessions run twice per week on Wednesdays 12:30-1:30 p.m. (EST) and Fridays 2-3 p.m. (EST). Learn more

Balint support group starting in September
Drs. Nicole Herschenhous and Ali Manning will be offering an eight week, Zoom-based Balint group starting Sept. 14. Sessions will be held weekly on Monday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m. (skipping stat holidays). Balint groups are closed groups of eight to 12 physicians who use case-based discussion to provide and receive support around emotions and ethical dilemmas arising in their work. These groups help reduce burnout while improving communication skills and empathy. For more information or to register, email alexandra.manning@nshealth.ca.  

Income stabilization program has ended
Physicians are reminded to 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 included a prorated ISP payment and FFS billings from July 14-23. Questions? Email Jessica Moore.

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

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.

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 until early September. 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.

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