What’s new?
- Today, no new cases of COVID-19 were announced, bringing the total cases in Nova Scotia to 1,058.
- One death was announced – a man in his 70s living in the central zone. The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Nova Scotia is 61
- Three individuals are in hospital (one in ICU) and 995 have recovered
- To date, Nova Scotia has had 43,911 negative test results. Negative test results can now be emailed to Nova Scotians
- There is one licensed long-term care home in Nova Scotia with active cases of COVID-19. Northwood has three residents and one staff member with active cases
- Support was announced for the agriculture sector to deal with COVID-19, helping farmers manage risks that are threatening the viability of their operations and the food supply system
- Reminder: A gathering limit of 10 people is now in effect. Physical distancing of two metres (six feet) is still required, except among members of the same household or family household bubble
- Guidelines for keeping workplaces safe as businesses reopen include how to apply public health measures
- Businesses may ask customers to follow rules, such as wearing a mask
- There was a potential exposure to COVID-19 at the Rona on Almon Street in Halifax on May 23, 25 and 28
- Nationally, there are 93,441 total cases, 7,543 deaths and 1,787,446 Canadians tested for COVID-19.
- New modelling released today shows cases among residents of long-term care and seniors’ homes represent 18% of cases and 82% of deaths country-wide
- The model estimates 97,990-107,454 total COVID-19 cases and 7,700-9,400 deaths by June 15
- Canada’s effective reproductive value (Rt) is trending close to one. Rt < 1 is required for more than three weeks to ensure public health measures are controlling the epidemic
- Canada flattened the curve sooner than countries such as the U.K., Italy and the U.S. Other countries such as South Korea and Japan demonstrated strong epidemic control to keep their curves smaller overall
- Until there is a vaccine or effective treatment, daily life will mean sustained public health measures to avoid resurgent COVID-19 transmission
- Canadian seniors will receive a special payment in early July. The federal government is providing nearly $900 more for single seniors and more than $1,500 for senior couples (on top of their existing benefits) to help these vulnerable Canadians with extra costs during the pandemic
- Transport Minister Marc Garneau announced new measures for using face coverings in the Canadian transportation sector
Joule COVID-19 innovation grants
In the wake of COVID-19, Joule and the Canadian Medical Association have launched a second grant program providing up to $1 million for physician-led, health care innovations relating to COVID-19. Grant categories include public health measures, supporting front-line health workers and accessing COVID-19 care. Apply online June 4-21. Learn more
N.S. Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) e-Access
There will be a planned outage for the NSPMP e-Access web application from Sunday, June 7, 2020 at 12 a.m. until 6 a.m. During this time, e-Access will not be available.
Food box program
For patients in need, Feed Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 food box program is a short-term initiative to provide home delivery to Nova Scotians who cannot get to a food bank or access other food support. Individuals can call 211 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and 211 will help determine if this program is a good fit.
Reminder: Medical students provide companionship to isolated patients
A new program is available to provide emotional support and companionship to patients living in rural areas across Canada who are isolated due to social distancing restrictions. The Rural and Isolated Support Endeavor (RISE) was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in collaboration with the Society of Rural Physicians of Canada. The program matches patients with medical students from across Canada who provide weekly phone calls. Physicians can refer patients by email or by completing the physician referral form.
Webinars
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. Password is 975004
Webinar recordings
Watch the webinar recording from the May 28 “Public health update and office-based practices in the new normal” session and check out all the previous webinars on the DNS COVID-19 info hub. Don’t forget to read the guidelines for office-based physicians providing patient care within the new normal of a COVID-19 environment.
Reminders
Federal support for patients
Do your patients need help accessing federal programs and services? Complete an e-Services form and a Service Canada employee will call you back within two business days. Or call 1-800-O-CANADA. Although Service Canada offices are closed, they are open for business and available by phone and online. See poster (English and French)
Medication access for palliative care patients
Physicians are advised to manage medication supplies to minimize waste and to anticipate future challenges. As an interim measure, community pharmacists can request a supply from a hospital pharmacy when they cannot fill prescriptions in a timely manner. Read the full message
Latest bulletin from Dr. Strang
In his May 22 bulletin, Dr. Strang communicated the expanded symptom criteria and office-based infection prevention and control practices. Learn more
Balint support group starts June 8 – three spaces left
The Nova Scotia Physicians’ Balint group, led by Drs. Nicole Herschenhous and Ali Manning, will take place Monday evenings at 6-7 p.m. from June 8-July 13 (first meeting runs until 7:30 p.m.) There are three spaces left. Register here. Not able to make this session but interested in future Balint groups? Email Dr. Ali Manning to add your name to the interest list.
Psychological distress among physicians: longitudinal survey
A research study seeks to understand how COVID-19 is affecting physicians. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and was approved by the NSHA’s research ethics board. Contact Dr. Jonathan Bailey for more information.
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
- COVID-19 screening for health-care providers, call 1-833-750-0632
- Tool kits
- Clinical supports
- Gut Link – telephone consultations 1-888-473-GUTS (4887)
- Medical support services for long-term care
- NSHA palliative care coverage
- The INSPIRED COPD outreach program
- Personal directive app
- COVID-19 Choosing Wisely Canada recommendations and using blood wisely campaign
- Mental health supports
- Online mental health resource for physicians
- Resources on coping with COVID-19
- NSHA Mental Health and Addictions online tool
- Wellness Together Canada
- Kids Help Phone - For The Frontlines Toolkit (Text FRONTLINE to 741741)
- Kids Help Phone support young people during COVID-19
- Online learning
- Pallium Learning Essential Approaches to Palliative Care (LEAP) modules
- Free Saegis COVID-19 health care cybersecurity e-learning course (English or French)
- Legal information
- Financial/economic supports
Information hubs to watch
- Nova Scotia Health Authority 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