What’s new?

To monitor data on a daily basis, see the Nova Scotia and Canadian data pages.

• Public school gyms will gradually reopen to community groups for physical activity and sports. Community access will be restricted to gyms and washrooms, with funding provided to hire additional staff to monitor facility usage and cleaning requirements. Learn more
• Eleven new cases were announced over the weekend and on Monday – four in northern zone, two in western zone and five in central zone. All are related to travel outside of the Atlantic bubble, except for one case related to a previous case and the five cases in central zone (which are being investigated)
• Dr. Rob Strang said that with the second wave of COVID-19 underway, travel outside of the Atlantic Bubble is more risky. With most new cases related to travel, Dr. Strang recommends Nova Scotians reduce non-essential travel outside of the Atlantic Bubble. In addition, following public health measures will reduce the chance of the virus spreading when it does arrive
• The state of emergency has been extended until noon on Nov. 15
• There were potential exposures to COVID-19:
  • At Fit4Less gym (1535 Dresden Row, Halifax) on Oct. 26 from 8-10 a.m. Anyone present at the location during this time is asked to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms. People exposed to the virus may develop symptoms up to and including Nov. 9
  • At Glenholme Loop Petro Pass Restaurant (3376 Hwy 104, Debert, N.S.) on Oct. 25, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. People exposed to the virus may develop symptoms up to and including Nov. 8
  • On Air Canada flight 7488 from Montreal to Halifax on Oct. 25. The flight departed Montreal at 7:15 p.m. and arrived in Halifax at 9:50 p.m. Passengers in rows 21 to 27, in seats D, E and F should monitor for COVID-19 symptoms and call 811 for advice, if needed. People exposed may develop symptoms up to and including Nov. 8
  • On Air Canada flight 622 from Toronto to Halifax on Oct. 27. The flight left Toronto at 6:40 p.m. and arrived in Halifax at 9:40 p.m. This passenger moved throughout the plane, so it is recommended that all passengers on this flight self-isolate as required and monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days (until Nov. 10)
• Previous exposure reminders:
  • Air Canada flight 626 on Oct. 24 from Toronto to Halifax. It departed Toronto at 9:30 p.m., landing in Halifax at 12:15 a.m. on Oct. 25. Passengers in rows 18 to 24, in seats A, B and C are more likely to have had close contact
  • WestJet flight 254 on Oct. 17 from Toronto to Halifax. It departed Toronto at 9:45 p.m., landing in Halifax at 12:47 a.m. on Oct. 18. Passengers in rows 1 to 5, in seats A, B, C and D are more likely to have had close contact
• Travel related reminders:
  • Since July 3, interprovincial travel has been permitted within Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador for permanent Atlantic Canadian residents without the requirement to self-isolate. All public health directives of each province must be followed. Under Nova Scotia’s Health Protection Act order, visitors from other Canadian provinces and territories must self-isolate for 14 days. Other visitors from outside the Atlantic provinces who have self-isolated for 14 days in another Atlantic province may travel to Nova Scotia without self-isolating again
    • New Brunswick announced further restrictions related to a COVID-19 outbreak in the Campbellton-Restigouche region of northern New Brunswick. Nova Scotians should avoid unnecessary travel to that area

Online booking service now available for five more Nova Scotia Health sites
Patients can now book appointments online for blood collection at Barrington Blood Collection, Oxford Blood Collection and Clare Blood Collection. Patients can also now book EKG, X-ray and blood collection appointments at Victoria County Memorial Hospital and X-ray appointments at the QEII’s Victoria General (VG) Hospital. Learn more.

Webinars

Organ and tissue donation webinar – understand your responsibilities
Beginning in January 2021, physicians may need to talk to patients and families about their organ and tissue donation wishes. Join a webinar with Drs. Jennifer Hancock and Robin Urquhart. They will discuss the changes to Nova Scotia’s Human Organ and Tissue Donation Act (HOTDA) and its impact on clinicians and patients. Learn how to identify and refer potential donors to Legacy of Life, provide guidance on conducting conversations with families and substitute decision-makers, and discuss barriers to implementing HOTDA in your practice. When: Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 7 – 9 p.m. Register today

DNS webinar recordings
Did you miss a webinar? Recordings are available; here are the most recent:

• Oct. 27: Family medicine in the new normal
• Oct. 14: Preventing COVID-19 transmission in schools
• Oct. 6: Seasonal flu and COVID-19

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

ICYMI

COVID-19 testing
When advising patients about getting tested for COVID-19, please direct them to the online COVID-19 self-assessment service. It’s a faster option for patients. People can still call 811 if they cannot access the online tool or wish to discuss their symptoms with a nurse.

Free PPE extended until end of 2020
Government will supply community physicians with free personal protective equipment (PPE) for this flu season, until Dec. 31. This includes gloves for administering intranasal influenza vaccine and additional medical masks, gowns, gloves, hand sanitizer and face shields for providing first aid and/or emergency assistance. Community physicians can click here to submit a request to the Department of Health and Wellness for additional PPE supplies for administering flu vaccinations; either update a previous request or make a new one. Your organization will be notified by email of the approved supply and instructions for online ordering. For more information, email PPErequest@novascotia.ca.

DNS staff, meetings and events
All DNS meetings and events have moved to a virtual format. 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.

• Navigating work exemption requests during COVID-19
• CMA Physician Wellness Hub
• Nova Scotia Health’s Addictions Medicine Consult Service FAQ or information card
• Medical students provide companionship to isolated patients - The Rural and Isolated Support Endeavor (RISE)

Information hubs to watch

• Nova Scotia Health updates and service cancellations
• IWK updates and service cancellations
• Doctor Nova Scotia updates and information
• Dalhousie CPD COVID-19 webpage
• Department of Health and Wellness
• 811 assessment – when to call
• Government of Canada
• Canadian Medical Association
• Canadian Pediatric Society COVID-19 resources for the care of children