Coronavirus update - June 26, 2020

coronavirus labelled test tube

Coronavirus update - June 26, 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 17 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
    • The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Nova Scotia is 63
    • To date, Nova Scotia has had 52,553 negative test results
  • Effective Friday, July 3, recognized businesses or organization planning an outdoor event can open capacity to a limit of 250 people with physical distancing rules. For an indoor event, the limit is 50 percent capacity to a maximum of 200, with physical distancing.
    • Other gatherings are still subject to the 50-person maximum limit with physical distancing unless you are in your close social group of 10
    • Guidelines for events are available online
    • People can continue to gather in close social groups of up to 10 without physical distancing. It is strongly encouraged to maintain a consistent group
    • Businesses that are too small to ensure physical distancing can still have no more than 10 people on their premises at a time with as much physical distancing as possible
    • In addition, the following restrictions are being eased, effectively immediately, each must follow their sector plans:
      • restaurants and licensed liquor establishments can operate at 100 per cent capacity and serve patrons until midnight with appropriate distancing between tables. Patrons must leave by 1 a.m.
      • private campgrounds can operate at 100 per cent capacity
      • public pools can reopen with physical distancing for lane swimming and aquafit classes, and one or more groups of 10 for other activities based on pool size
      • people living in homes funded by disability support programs can resume going out into their communities
    • Dr. Strang now recommends that all Nova Scotians wear a non-medical mask in situations where distancing may not be able to be kept, such as in stores, on public transit, or at gatherings. The exceptions are children under two or anyone who has a medical reason for not wearing a mask
    • Due to concerns of COVID-19 in the U.S., the Yarmouth ferry service has been cancelled for this season
  • Nationally, there are 102,622 total cases, 8,504 deaths and 2,558,363 Canadians tested for COVID-19.

Physician support sessions conclude
The weekly Zoom meetings on coping with COVID-19 have ended. Thanks to Drs. Jaqueline Kinley and John Chiasson for lending their time and expertise over the past several months to help Nova Scotia physicians prepare for the demands of COVID-19. If you’re struggling with personal or professional problems, reach out to the Professional Support Program. Call 902-468-8215 or 1-855-275-8215 (toll-free), or email professionalsupport@doctorsns.com.

The 9th quick COVID-19 primary care survey
On behalf of the Pan-Canadian Primary and Integrated Healthcare Innovations Networks, we want to thank all who have provided responses to this ongoing survey about the impact of COVID-19 on your practices and on you. We have pulled back to less frequent surveys as we know you are all tired, busy with re-starting your practices and perhaps a bit survey overloaded. This week we are wanting to know about more about impacts on you and on how you are managing getting your practices up and running more comprehensively again. Please take the time to let us know how this is going. It should take 5 minutes or less. You can complete the survey HERE.

Reminder: Income stabilization program ends July 13
The income stability program (ISP) will end effective July 13. Here’s how to bill as the program winds down:

  • Shadow bill for services provided through to end of day July 13. Services provided on or after July 14 should be billed fee-for-service (FFS). When submitting billings for the July 29 payment date, submit for all services provided between July 10–23. You must submit through both your shadow billing and FFS billing arrangements for this pay period.
  • Your July 15 payment will consist solely of ISP payments, while your July 29 payment will include a prorated ISP payment for July 10–13 and FFS billings from July 14–July 23.

Doctors Nova Scotia is seeking answers on the retroactive payment process and timelines, and will communicate those details as soon as possible. Questions? Email Jessica Moore.

Reducing physician administrative burden – survey ends today 
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. tonight.

Webinars

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

Reminders

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. This document is subject to change as new information becomes available.

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. 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 access 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. 

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