Coronavirus update - June 23, 2020

coronavirus labelled test tube

Coronavirus update - June 23, 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.

Doctors Nova Scotia will provide twice-weekly updates on Tuesdays and Thursdays unless significant news or issues warrant additional communication.

What’s new?

  • Today, no new cases of COVID-19 were announced, keeping the total confirmed cases in Nova Scotia at 1,061.
    • The last new case was on June 9, marking 14 days with no new infections
    • There are no active cases and 998 resolved cases
    • Two individuals are currently in hospital, one in ICU. The COVID-19 infection is resolved for both patients, but they remain in hospital
    • On Monday, one additional death was announced. A male in his 60s with underlying medical conditions died weeks ago in the Central Zone, not in a care home. His death was under investigation. The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Nova Scotia is 63
    • To date, Nova Scotia has had 51,530 negative test results. Negative test results can be emailed to Nova Scotians
    • Beginning today, some Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) hospital visitor restrictions will ease. Hospital inpatients will be permitted to identify one designated essential support person as a visitor. The designated person can change each week
  • Nationally, there are 101,637 total cases, 8,436 deaths and 2,444,118 Canadians tested for COVID-19.

Administrative burden webinar cancelled
Due to a scheduling conflict, tonight’s webinar on reducing unnecessary physician administrative burden has been cancelled. It will be rescheduled in the coming weeks once the survey results have been released. Watch for an email from DNS with the new webinar date. In the meantime, please take 15 minutes to complete the survey (see details below). Ensure the survey delivers meaningful results by sharing your lived experience with administrative burden and the response to COVID-19.

Reducing physician administrative burden – four days left to share your views
The Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness is leading a pilot project to identify actions to reduce unnecessary administrative burden on Nova Scotia doctors. Take this 15-minute survey on the nature and impact of unnecessary administrative burden. The survey also asks physicians how COVID-19 has changed their practice and which changes should continue beyond the pandemic. Survey closes at 11:59 p.m. on June 26.

Revised DNS virtual care tool kit

COVID-19 Signs, Symptoms and Severity of Disease – A Clinician Guide – June 18, 2020
The contents of the attached guide provide clinicians with information on what is presently known about the clinical features of COVID-19, including presentation, risk factors and the spectrum of disease severity. Based on available scientific evidence, the information is informed by expert opinion and is subject to change as new information becomes available.

Webinars

Cancelled: Reducing physician administrative burden
This webinar will provide an overview of the unnecessary physician administrative burden pilot project and the role of the Office of Regulatory Affairs and Service Effectiveness, including what they’ve have learned so far and what they’re planning for the short term. When: To be rescheduled 

DNS webinar recordings
If you missed the June 16 webinar “Obesity in the era of COVID-19,” you can listen to the recording of Dr. Laura Reardon’s presentation. She discussed why obesity increases the severity of COVID-19 and shared considerations and treatment plans for people living with obesity during the pandemic and beyond. Check out 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[JH18]  Password is 975004                                          

Choosing Wisely Canada webinar: Sustainably and safely supporting the medical needs of long-term care residents in the COVID-19 pandemic

Tune-in to a webinar with Dr. Andrea Moser, a family physician focusing on care of the elderly at Baycrest Geriatric Health Sciences. Dr. Moser will discuss increased medical care and support for residents in long-term care, and how to avoid unnecessary hospital transfers. Dr. Brian Wong, a general internist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, will speak following the presentation. When: Wednesday, June 24 at 12–1 p.m. (ET) Register here

Reminders

Take vacation on the Income Stability Program
Physicians can take a short leave of absence from their practice during the pandemic (see Clause 18 of the Income Stability Program), provided the leave is approved in advance and in writing by the Department of Health and Wellness. Email requests to Vimy Glass. Program payments will continue during the leave.

Extension of virtual care fees
Doctors Nova Scotia has learned that the government will be extending virtual care fee codes until the end of September. When we have more information, we will provide an update.

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.

Balint support group
The Nova Scotia Physicians’ Balint group is led by Drs. Nicole Herschenhous and Ali Manning. Interested in future Balint groups? Email alexandra.manning@nshealth.ca to add your name to the interest list. 

Physiotherapy services – protecting the health of Nova Scotians
The Nova Scotia Physiotherapy Association advises that clinics are reopening 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 to 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.

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