Coronavirus update - July 28, 2020

coronavirus labelled test tube

Coronavirus update - July 28, 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?
It’s a stressful time to be practising medicine. Contact the Doctors Nova Scotia (DNS) Professional Support Program at 902-468-8215 or 1-855-275-8215 (toll-free), or via email.

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

What’s new?

  • Today is the thirteenth day of no new cases of COVID-19, keeping the total number of confirmed cases in Nova Scotia at 1,067.
    • There are no active cases and 1,004 resolved cases
    • The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Nova Scotia is 63
    • To date, Nova Scotia has had 61,576 negative test results
    • Starting July, 31 non-medical masks will be mandatory in all indoor public places.  Indoor public places include:
      • Retail businesses and shopping centres
      • Personal service businesses such as hair and nail salons, spas, body art facilities, except during services that require removing a mask
      • Restaurants and bars, except while people are eating or drinking
      • Places of worship or faith gatherings
      • Places for cultural or entertainment services or activities such as movie theatres, concerts and other performances
      • Places for sports and recreational activities such as a gym, pool or indoor tennis facility, except while doing an activity where a mask cannot be worn
      • Places for events such as conferences and receptions
      • Municipal or provincial government locations offering services to the public
      • Common areas of tourist accommodations such as lobbies, elevators and hallways
      • Common areas of office buildings such as lobbies, elevators and hallways, but not private offices
      • Public areas of university or college campuses, such as libraries or student union buildings, but not classrooms, labs, offices or residences
      • Train or bus stations, ferry terminals and airports
      • Children under two are exempt, as well as children aged two to four when their caregiver cannot get them to wear a mask. People with a valid medical reason for not wearing a mask are exempt. Schools, daycares and day camps continue to follow their reopening plans
      • People are asked to use their own masks. Government will help with initial supplies of masks for people who cannot bring their own
    • Nova Scotia’s state of emergency has been renewed for two more weeks. The renewal took effect at noon Sunday, July 26, and will extend to noon Sunday, Aug. 9.
    • Public school students across the province will return to class on Tuesday, Sept. 8
    • New phone numbers are available to book blood collection appointments at three Eastern Zone hospitals
      • Cape Breton Regional Hospital: 902-563-8545, Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–3 p.m. (excluding holidays)
      • Glace Bay Hospital: 902-842-2830, Monday–Friday, 1–3 p.m. (excluding holidays)
      • St. Martha’s Regional Hospital: 902-867-8821, Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–3 p.m. (excluding holidays)
    • Patients and visitors are now required to wear non-medical masks when entering hospitals and health-care facilities
      • Staff and physicians working in both clinical and non-clinical areas are required to wear a non-medical mask when they enter the building until they arrive at their office or work station and in public areas such as elevators and lobbies. Learn more  
  • Nationally, there are 114,597 total cases, 8,901 deaths and 3,863,830 Canadians tested for COVID-19.

Microbiology lab testing resumes
The Microbiology Laboratory at the QEII Health Sciences Centre has resumed processing test requests for herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella zoster (VZV) and norovirus that were suspended during the first wave of COVID-19. Due to an expected second wave of COVID-19, the distribution of both viral and Hologic multi-test swabs (used for STI testing) will continue to be restricted. Learn more

Webinars

Doctors Nova Scotia-hosted webinars and physician support sessions via Zoom have ended for the time being.

Choosing Wisely Canada is offering a webinar on July 29 from noon-1p.m. (EST): Pandemic pregnancy: Safety considerations for prenatal visits during COVID-19 with Dr. Tali Bogler.  Learn more

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

Reminders

Requests for personal protective equipment
The Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) is providing community-based physicians and their staff with personal protective equipment (PPE) at no cost until early September. Click here to submit a request to DHW for PPE. Your organization will be notified by email of the approved supply and instructions for online ordering. For more information, email PPErequest@novascotia.ca.

Income stabilization program ended
Shadow bill for services provided through to end of day July 13. Bill services provided on or after July 14 fee-for-service (FFS). The July 29 payment will include a prorated ISP payment and FFS billings from July 14-23. Questions? Email Jessica Moore.

Navigating work exemption requests during COVID-19
Doctors Nova Scotia (DNS) has created a  guide to help family physicians respond to work exemption requests.

Expanded hours for central zone blood collection appointments
The central zone blood collection booking hours have expanded to weekdays (excluding holidays) from 7a.m.-11p.m. and on Saturdays from 7a.m.-3p.m. by calling 902-473-2074 or 1-833-942-2298. Patients who require urgent collection must communicate this when booking.

NEW Addictions Medicine Consult Service
Nova Scotia Health’s Addictions Medicine Consult Service provides rapid addictions medicine consultant advice. The service is available weekdays 8:30a.m.-4:30 p.m. by calling 1-855-970-0234. Learn more FAQ or information card

CMA Wellness Support Line
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) has launched a Wellness Support Line. The line is linked with the DNS Professional Support Program (PSP) and is available 24-7. Call the PSP at 902-468-8215 or 1-855-275-8215 (toll-free).

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

Note: See the DNS COVID-19 hub for a complete list of COVID-19 resources.

Information hubs to watch