Coronavirus update - May 1, 2020

coronavirus labelled test tub

Coronavirus update - May 1, 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 Nova Scotia has been extended again until noon on May 17, 2020.

  • Today, 12 new cases of COVID-19 were announced, bringing the total in Nova Scotia to 959.
    • One death was announced – a resident of Northwood in Halifax. This brings the total number of COVID-19 deaths in Nova Scotia to 29
    • Ten individuals are in hospital (three in ICU) and 592 have recovered
    • To date, Nova Scotia has had 28,883 negative test results
    • As of April 30, there were 10 licensed long-term care homes and unlicensed seniors’ facilities in Nova Scotia with cases of COVID-19, involving 237 residents and 105 staff. 
    • Potential exposures to COVID-19 were announced at two locations on Quinpool Road in Halifax: Canadian Tire on April 18 from 3:30–4:30 p.m. and NSLC on April 18 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
    • The first steps in Nova Scotia’s recovery plan were announced relating to outdoor and recreational activities. The public must stay within their household unit and continue to physically distance (stay six feet apart from others) when accessing activities in their community. The following are now open: provincial and municipal parks (beaches and playgrounds remain closed), walking/hiking/ATV trails, garden centres and community gardens. If a beach is part of a provincial park or trail, the beach is still closed. Private campgrounds may open for seasonal/fixed RVs only. People may visit their cottage, but their travel must be just to the cottage and back. Boating, sportfishing, sailing and boating clubs are open (food service take-out only). Golf course driving ranges may open and begin maintenance (food service take-out only). Drive-in religious services are allowed (no passing items between cars and cars must be six feet apart)
    • If the easing of measures goes well, the next phase will include reopening some small businesses. Short-stay and day surgeries may also reopen
    • 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 53,627 total and confirmed cases and 3,223 deaths from COVID-19.
    • New modelling shows cases are doubling every 16 days; previously, new cases doubled every three days
    • Revised projections predict 66,835 cases and 3,883 deaths by May 5. The projected death rate has increased due to 79% of current cases being in long-term care and seniors’ homes
    • Based on current experience, 17% of patients have required hospitalization; less than 5% have required ICU care
    • In other news: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced effective immediately a ban of more than 1,500 models of military-grade assault-style weapons in Canada

Six days to enrol - income stabilization program now open
Enrolment is now open for the physician income stabilization program. Interested fee-for-service physicians must enrol by Thursday, May 7 at 11:59 p.m. Review the program terms and sign a physician declaration before the deadline. To learn more about the program watch the April 30 webinar or contact by email Jessica Moore or call 902-481-4922.

ICYMI - Join a Balint support group
Drs. Nicole Herschenhous and Ali Manning are starting a six-week virtual Balint group for physicians interested in this type of support during the pandemic. In Balint groups, eight to 14 physicians use case-based discussion to provide and receive support around emotions and ethical dilemmas arising in their work. These groups have been shown to reduce burnout while improving communication skills and empathy. Click here to learn more and register or email Dr. Ali Manning.

Webinars

Public health update
Join Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed for this two-hour webinar, which will offer the latest information and protocols from public health. When: Wednesday, May 6 at 7–9 p.m. Register today

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, May 4 at 4–5 p.m. – Dr. Dayna Lee-Baggley on how to charge your battery: an introduction to self-care skills training for health-care providers. Click here for the Zoom meeting link. Password is 050891

Choosing Wisely Canada
Choosing Wisely Canada (CWC) is hosting a webinar ‘Palliative care conversations in the COVID-19 pandemic’ with Dr. Amit Arya. When: Wednesday, May 6 from 12–1 p.m. (ET). Register today

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

Webinar recordings
Review the April 30 webinar ‘Income stabilization program webinar.’ Check out all the previous webinars on the DNS COVID-19 info hub.

Reminders

REVISED! Care during COVID-19: Tips for managing physician clinics during coronavirus

Doctors Nova Scotia has updated this tool kit, which has helpful advice from physicians across the province and other provincial/territorial medical associations.

Cybersecurity - are you vulnerable?
Take the free Saegis COVID-19 health care cybersecurity e-learning course; it’s comprised of two modules (English or French) that each take seven minutes to complete.

Information from Reproductive Care Program (RCP) of Nova Scotia

  • Alternate screening option for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during the pandemic:
    • Order HbA1c and random glucose instead of 50g-GCT (Trutol) for high-risk early screening or universal screening at 24–28 weeks’ gestation, indicate the patient is pregnant. For early screening, a fasting rather than random glucose is reasonable
    • Labs that have implemented this approach will automatically change a GCT (Trutol) order to HbA1c and random glucose
  • Documentation of COVID-19 infection in pregnancy and in newborns:
    • As of March 1, 2020, RCP is collecting data about COVID-19 infected pregnant women and newborns (even if recovered)
    • Please document confirmed infection date on the prenatal record, and in-hospital progress notes/H&P

Read the full memo

Medical students advocate for emergency child-care for essential workers during COVID-19
Dalhousie Students for Healthcare Providers (DSHP) has written a letter of support for a provincial child-care strategy for essential workers. The DSHP seeks your support. Please read the letter and fill out the signature section.

WCB Nova Scotia’s position on health services during COVID-19
The Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia supports virtual care for health services such as physiotherapy or chiropractic treatments. Patients injured in the workplace should not wait to seek treatment. For more information, click here.

New NSHA in-home blood collection services for eligible patients
Physicians or nurse practitioners can initiate in-home blood collection service for eligible patients requiring urgent/time-sensitive testing for immediate diagnosis or chronic illness management through the NSHA Continuing Care referral process. Read more

Financial measures to help navigate COVID-19
MD Financial offers information and support for physicians navigating the effects of COVID-19 on their finances.

Legal information for Canadian employees and employers
Pink Larkin in partnership with Sherrard Kuzz in Toronto have created an online resource of essential legal information.

Free mental health support for all
Wellness Together Canada is available 24 hours a day and includes free telephone and video counselling sessions. Learn more at www.wellnesstogether.ca or call 1-866-585-0445.

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