Coronavirus update - August 13, 2020

coronavirus labelled test tube

Coronavirus update - August 13, 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?

 

New cases

Active cases

Hospitalizations (ICU)

Resolved cases

Deaths

Total cases

Total tests

Nova Scotia

0

0

0

1,007

64

1,071

67,310

Canada

 

 

 

 

9,006

120,844

4,581,083

To monitor data on a daily basis, see the Nova Scotia and Canadian data pages.

Physician resilience COVID-19 study 
Drs. Jackie Kinley and John Chiasson provided daily support sessions and webinars to help physicians cope during the COVID-19 pandemic. Physicians are invited to complete a brief survey about the experience to help guide the response for the next wave of COVID-19. Take the survey

Reminder

Two weeks left to order free 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.

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.

ICYMI

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

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

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.  

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