Coronavirus update - June 15, 2020

coronavirus labelled test tube

Coronavirus update - June 15, 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 the weekly Zoom meeting – see details below under webinars.

This will be the last week of daily COVID-19 updates. Starting next week, DNS will provide twice-weekly updates on Tuesdays and Thursdays, unless significant news or issues warrant more frequent communication.

What’s new?

  • Today, no new cases of COVID-19 were announced; no new cases were announced over the weekend, keeping the total confirmed cases in Nova Scotia at 1,061.
  • Nationally, there are 98,787 total cases, 8,146 deaths and 2,152,776 Canadians tested for COVID-19. 
    • Modelling estimates 97,990-107,454 total COVID-19 cases and 7,700-9,400 deaths by today (June 15) have proved accurate

CMA Wellness Support Line
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) has launched a Wellness Support Line, providing confidential and bilingual mental health support to physicians, medical learners and their families. Funded by Scotiabank and MD Financial Management, the line is linked with the DNS Professional Support Program (PSP) and is available 24-7 to offer physicians enhanced support, such as crisis counselling and risk assessment. You don’t need to be a CMA member to call. To use the service, call the PSP at 902-468-8215 or 1-855-275-8215 (toll-free).

Update on personal protective equipment
The Department of Health and Wellness will be supplying 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 for PPE. When your request is processed, your organization’s primary contact will be notified by email of the approved supply that can be accessed and instructions to set up online ordering. For more information, email PPErequest@novascotia.ca.

Ends tonight - Quick COVID-19 primary care clinician survey
The eighth survey in the series, this week’s quick COVID-19 primary care clinician survey focuses on understanding physician needs in caring for patients as health-care services begin to re-open across Canada. The survey takes less than five minutes to complete. Responses are shared with provincial and federal policy makers. Find the results of last week’s survey at the end of the survey. Survey deadline is tonight at 11:59 p.m. Take the survey

Joule COVID-19 innovation grants, seven days left to apply
Joule and the Canadian Medical Association have launched a second grant program providing up to $1 million for physician-led, health care innovations relating to COVID-19. Apply online before 11:59 p.m. on June 21. Learn more

Webinars

Tomorrow: Obesity in the era of COVID-19
Dr. Laura Reardon will explore the link between obesity and severe COVID-19 complications. Participants will learn why obesity increases the severity of COVID-19 and discuss considerations and treatment plans for people living with obesity during the pandemic and beyond. When: June 16, 2020 from 7-9 p.m. REGISTER HERE

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

Physician support session on Wednesdays
A weekly Zoom session on coping with COVID-19 is held on Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. and is open to all physicians. Click here for the Zoom meeting link Password is 975004

Choosing Wisely Canada webinar: Ensuring appropriateness and quality in cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic
Tune-in to a webinar with Dr. Christopher Hillis, hematologist at Hamilton Health Sciences and assistant professor in the Department of Oncology at McMaster University. Dr. Hillis will discuss how applying resource stewardship principles can contribute to safe and quality cancer care during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. When: Wednesday, June 17 at 12-1p.m. (ET) Register here.

Reminders

Help inform Nova Scotia’s virtual care strategy
The province’s health authorities are seeking physician input to develop a virtual care strategy for the province. Click here to sign up for a 30-to 60-minute chat about virtual care. Topics will include:

  • Virtual visits
  • Secure messaging
  • Virtual patient education
  • Case conferencing
  • E-results
  • Online assessment
  • Remote clinical devices
  • Home monitoring devices
  • Patient portals
  • E-consults and e-referrals

Click here to learn more about these virtual care platforms.

Let’s Talk Informatics – Role of the Nova Scotia Health Authority’s performance and analytics team during COVID-19
The Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) Information Management and Technology is hosting Steve Carrigan and Matt Murphy as guest speakers for its next Let’s Talk Informatics presentation on June 25. Attendees will learn how the NSHA’s performance and analytics team influenced the organization’s response to COVID-19. Details & Registration

Physiotherapy services – protecting the health of Nova Scotians
The Nova Scotia Physiotherapy Association advises that clinics are re-opening across Nova Scotia.

Feed Nova Scotia COVID-19 Food Box Program
The program provides home delivery of food to Nova Scotians who need food support and can’t get to a food bank or other food support program. Individuals can call 211 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and 211 will help determine if this program is a good fit.

Medical students provide companionship to isolated patients
The Rural and Isolated Support Endeavor (RISE) matches patients with medical students from across Canada who provide weekly phone calls to provide emotional support and companionship. Physicians can refer patients by email or by completing the physician referral form.

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

Information hubs to watch