Coronavirus update - April 27, 2020

coronavirus labelled test tube

Coronavirus update - April 27, 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 until noon on May 3, 2020.

  • Today, 27 new cases of COVID-19 were announced, adding to the 23 new cases announced over the weekend, bringing the total in Nova Scotia to 900.
    • Over the weekend, eight deaths were announced: seven residents of Northwood in Halifax and a man in his 80s in the western zone. This brings the total number of COVID-19 deaths in Nova Scotia to 24
    • Twelve individuals are in hospital (three in ICU) and 509 have recovered
    • To date, Nova Scotia has had 26,231 negative test results
    • As of April 26, there were 10 licensed long-term care homes and unlicensed seniors’ facilities in Nova Scotia with cases of COVID-19, involving 198 residents and 95 staff
    • 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%
    • The Annapolis Collaborative Emergency Centre is now open seven days per week
  • Nationally, there are 47,327 cases (47,316 confirmed) and 2,617 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
    • The Ontario government released details of its plan to reopen businesses, services and public spaces. Learn 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.

Webinars

Choosing Wisely Canada webinar
Dr. David Juurlink will discuss safety considerations with chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin in the management of COVID-19. When: April 29 at noon to 1:00 p.m. (EST). 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: Wednesday, April 29 at 4–5 p.m. Dr. Angela Cooper on preparing for crisis: a health-care professional’s guide to emotional health. Read the handout for this session. Click here for the Zoom meeting link. Password is 050891

Webinar recordings
Review the slide deck and watch the April 21 webinar ‘Clinical decision making in the time of COVID-19 and Choosing Wisely.’ Check out all the previous webinars on the DNS COVID-19 info hub.

Watch the Less is more: resource stewardship in primary care during COVID-19 webinar with Dr. Kimberly Wintemute, primary care co-lead of Choosing Wisely Canada. Learn how primary care practices are reorganizing resources to protect staff and ensure continuity of care during COVID-19.

Reminders

Letter to the editor
Dr. Gary Ernest has issued a letter to the editor, reminding Nova Scotians that doctors’ offices are open and urging them not to neglect their health during the pandemic. Read more

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.

Well-child and prenatal care during COVID-19
See the interim schedule suggested for well-child visits (including vaccines) and low-risk prenatal visits from Choosing Wisely Canada.

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 who need those services for their recovery and return-to-work plan, 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

Kids Help Phone support available
Kids Help Phone is offering help for children, adults and front-line workers struggling after the tragic shootings. For free, confidential, 24-7 support, young people can text NSSTRONG to 686868, adults can text NSSTRONG to 741741, and front-line workers can text FRONTLINE to 741741. Or call 1-800-668-6868. Those needing help will communicate with a caring person who will listen and provide support. Learn more

NSHA palliative care coverage
A zone-based palliative care call coverage system is available in response to the potential need for support to manage complex issues related to COVID-19. Your colleagues are available by phone to provide advice. Learn more

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