Coronavirus update - May 14, 2020

coronavirus labelled test tube

Coronavirus update - May 14, 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.

What’s new?

  • Today, two new cases of COVID-19 were announced, bringing the total in Nova Scotia to 1,026.
    • The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Nova Scotia is 51
    • Nine individuals are in hospital (four in ICU) and 909 have recovered
    • To date, Nova Scotia has had 35,004 negative test results
    • There are three licensed long-term care homes and unlicensed seniors’ facilities in Nova Scotia with active cases of COVID-19. Northwood has 27 residents and 15 staff with active cases. One other facility has one staff member with an active case and another facility has one resident with an active case
    • Reminder: the first step of Nova Scotia’s recovery plan is the easing of public health measures relating to outdoor and recreational activities
  • Nationally, there are 72,536 total and confirmed cases and 5,337 deaths from COVID-19.
    • Nationally, 1,193,190 people have been tested for COVID-19  

Psychological distress among physicians: longitudinal survey
A research study seeks to understand how COVID-19 is affecting physicians. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and was approved by the Nova Scotia Health Authority’s research ethics board. Contact Dr. Jonathan Bailey for more information.

NSPMP eAccess portal planned outage
There will be a planned outage of the Nova Scotia Prescription Monitoring Program’s (NSPMP) eAccess portal from Friday, May 15 at 10 p.m. until Saturday, May 16 at 12 p.m. For more information, call the NSPMP at 902-496-7123 or 1-888-476-7767.

Medical support services for long-term care
Processes have been established to support a consistent approach to Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) medical support services for long-term care (LTC) medical directors and physicians. See the processes

Kids Help Phone helps all ages
Kids Help Phone offers online tools and clinically-researched resources on their website to support young people during COVID-19. It provides confidential, 24-7 phone counselling (1-800-668-6868) and texting service for youth (text CONNECT to 686868). For The Frontlines Toolkit provides posters, social media assets and much more. Text FRONTLINE to 741741 for free, confidential 24-7 mental health support in both official languages. Check out Wellness Together Canada for free mental health and substance use support services for adults.

Webinars

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 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: Friday, May 15 at 4–5 p.m. – Dr. Nicole Herschenhous on mindfulness for physicians: emotion regulation. Click here for the Zoom meeting link. Password is 050891

Special Zoom session: Wednesday, May 20 at 4–5 p.m. – Dr. John Chiasson presents “Down in flames: burnout plus COVID-19.” Click here for the Zoom meeting link. Password is 050891

Special Zoom session: Friday, May 22 at at 4–5 p.m. – Dr. David Lovas discusses mindfulness for physicians. Click here for the Zoom meeting link. Password is 050891

Choosing Wisely Canada
Join the national CWC conference on May 26 from 12–1 p.m. (ET). For more information and to register

Webinar recordings
Watch the webinar recording from the May 6 ‘Public Health update and intro to MED-LTC program’ session and check out all the previous webinars on the DNS COVID-19 info hub.

Reminders

Vaping, smoking and COVID-19
The World Health Organization has issued a warning of severe COVID-19 disease and poor outcomes in people who smoke or vape.

Study on the impact of COVID-19 on providers
Researchers at the University of Calgary are studying how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted health-care workers across the globe. Take the survey

Online mental health resource for physicians
Doctors Nova Scotia and the NSHA Mental Health and Addictions program have partnered to offer a new website with resources to help physicians cope during the pandemic. Learn more

Gut Link – telephone consultations
The Division of Digestive Care and Endoscopy is launching Gut Link to enhance support during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. Call 1-888-473-GUTS (4887).

Join a Balint support group
Drs. Nicole Herschenhous and Ali Manning are starting a six-week virtual Balint group for physicians. These groups reduce burnout while improving communication skills and empathy. Click here to learn more and register or email Dr. Ali Manning.

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