Coronavirus update - April 17, 2020

coronavirus labelled test tube

Coronavirus update - April 17, 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?

The state of emergency in NS, declared on March 22, was extended until noon on May 3, 2020.

  • Today, 27 new cases of COVID-19 were announced, bringing the total in Nova Scotia to 606.
    • On April 17, a Cape Breton woman in her 80s became the fourth COVID-19 death in N.S.
    • Eleven individuals are in hospital (five in ICU) and 177 have recovered
    • To date, Nova Scotia has had 19,506 negative test results
    • As of April 16, there were eight licensed long-term care homes in N.S. with cases of COVID-19, involving 55 residents and 43 staff
    • New potential exposures were announced at Giant Tiger, 114 Woodlawn Dr., Dartmouth (April 13), and Bob’s Taxi in Dartmouth (April 4-15) involving one cab
    • Nova Scotia COVID-19 Health Research Coalition responds to global pandemic with $1.5 million investment
    • 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 30,670 cases (30,659 confirmed) and 1,250 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

Using blood wisely campaign
See resources on reducing unnecessary use of blood products to help conserve the supply during the COVID-19 pandemic.

New CMA resources

Webinars

Critical Thinking in the Time of COVID-19
Join Drs. Pat Croskerry, director of critical thinking program at Dalhousie Medical School, and Sam Campbell, emergency medicine, for this two-hour CPD-accredited webinar to learn how COVID-19 can affect your ability to think critically. When: Tuesday, April 21 at 7–9 p.m. REGISTER HERE

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 20 at 4–5 p.m. – Dr. Alexa Bagnell on parenting during COVID-19: Strategies to manage fear and uncertainty. Click here for the Zoom meeting link. Password is 050891

Webinar recordings
Watch the April 16 webinar (Understanding physician income stability in Nova Scotia) and check out all the previous webinars on the DNS COVID-19 hub.

Reminders

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.

Prenatal/perinatal screening for CT/GC
Nova Scotia is using urine testing for prenatal/perinatal chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) to free up aptima swabs for COVID-19 testing. Collect the sample (at least 20 mls) in a sterile urine container and complete the standard outpatient lab requisition. Return aptima swabs to the closest hospital laboratory. Questions? Please contact the microbiologist on call. 

NSHA COVID-19 updates
Not receiving daily updates from Dr. Nicole Boutilier, vice-president of medicine, and/or the Family Practice update? Fill out this form to be added to the distribution list.

NSHA physician leadership supports
Contact Lorie Campbell, executive coach for individual executive coaching, or Shawn Jolemore about group coaching opportunities for all physicians.

Reduced room rates for health-care providers
The Best Western Plus Dartmouth Hotel and Suites is offering $69 per night, the DoubleTree by Hilton is offering $60 per night and the Delta Dartmouth is offering $80-$99 per night.

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