Coronavirus update - April 7, 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?

Today, 17 new cases of COVID-19 were announced, bringing the total in Nova Scotia to 310.
- Nova Scotia had its first death on April 6, a Cape Breton woman in her 70s with underlying health issues
- Cases range in people aged from under 10 to over 90.Community spread is confirmed
- Yesterday, the province announced more options for testing of COVID-19: temporary primary assessment centres (in communities with more known cases), EHS assessment units, a mobile assessment centre and expanded lab testing
- Eleven individuals are in hospital (four in ICU) and 66 have recovered
- To date, Nova Scotia has had 10,621 negative test results. Travel has been removed as a testing criterion. A temporary assessment centre has opened in Elmsdale and one will open in Preston
- View a map and graphic presentation of the Nova Scotia cases
Nationally, there are 16,667 cases (16,653 confirmed) and 323 deaths from COVID-19.
- CLARIFICATION: Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says the public may wear non-medical masks as an additional measure to protect others around them
- About eight million surgical masks were received from China yesterday, along with orders for Nova Scotia and Quebec. The federal government is working with Canadian companies to make medical equipment and supplies (including 30,000 ventilators) and international companies to source more equipment
- In total, Canada has ordered 230 million surgical masks (16 million delivered to date), 75 million N-95 masks (2.3 million expected by end of this week) and 100,013 litres of hand sanitizer (20,000 litres received, 10,000 expected overnight and the balance by month’s end.

REMINDER: Diagnostic code for COVID-19 tracking
The new diagnostic code for tracking COVID-19, both suspected and confirmed cases, is 487.8.

COVID-19 Healthcare Cybersecurity Update
To help Canadian health professionals manage increased risk, Saegis is offering free COVID-19 Healthcare Cybersecurity Update, a bilingual e-learning course. The course is comprised of two modules that each take about seven minutes to complete. The course is available in English or French.

Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) follow up message
PANS is reporting increased errors in EMR faxed prescriptions. Information required with prescriptions must be written for virtual care visits. Call the pharmacy if a patient requires medications before 48 to 72 hours. Pharmacies cannot dispense 14 days of opioid agonist maintenance treatment (OAMT), but most will offer home delivery for shorter supplies. Read the full message

COVID-19 Choosing Wisely Canada recommendations
COVID-19 recommendations for clinicians and the public have been developed to raise awareness about using limited health-care resources wisely.

Personal directive app
Last weekend, more than 270 Nova Scotians created a personal directive. The pandemic is an opportunity to talk to patients and families about their wishes. The personal directive app is simple to complete online from the Legal Info Nova Scotia website. Legal help is available by phone at 1-800-665-9779 or 902-455-3135, live chat or email.

Reduced room rates for health-care providers
Two Dartmouth hotels are offering reduced room rates for health-care professionals needing accommodations during the pandemic. The Best Western Plus Dartmouth Hotel and Suites is offering $69 per night (call 902-463-2000) and DoubleTree by Hilton is offering $60 per night (call 902-463-1100).

Telehealth Zoom privacy and security response
The Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) conducted a privacy impact assessment and Telehealth Zoom is compliant with the province’s privacy legislation. The NSHA will continue to monitor the situation to act on any new issues or concerns.

Income stabilization
Doctors Nova Scotia continues to advocate for income stabilization for fee-for-service family doctors and specialists. We hope to announce something early this week.

COVID-19 screening for health-care providers
Worried you may have COVID-19? Instead of calling 811, health-care providers can call a separate hotline to be screened for the virus. Call 1-833-750-0632.

Webinars

TONIGHT: Public health update and PPE education
This two-hour webinar will provide the latest information and protocols from public health. Gain an understanding of the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and how its supply will be managed in Nova Scotia. When: Tuesday, April 7 at 6-8 p.m. REGISTER HERE

COVID-19 and long-term care: Discussions with residents and families
Join Dr. Paige Moorhouse to discuss how advanced care planning is key to ensuring health-care professionals and family members have the information they need to make decisions and provide the best care possible. When: Thursday, April 9 at 6–8 p.m. REGISTER HERE

End of life care considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic
This webinar will provide a review of best practices for palliative care during the pandemic, including end of life care and managing respiratory death through sedation. When: Tuesday, April 14 from 6–7:30 p.m. REGISTER HERE

Daily Zoom meetings: Coping with COVID-19
Join Drs. Jaqueline Kinley and John Chiasson for daily online meetings to chat about coping strategies and mental health concerns. Meetings are daily at 1 p.m. and are open to all physicians. Click here for the Zoom meeting link.

Special Zoom session: Wednesday, April 8 at 4–5 p.m. – Dr. Nicole Herschenhous on mindfulness for physicians: back to basics. Click here for the Zoom meeting link. Password is required: 050891

Reminders

NSHA Mental Health and Addictions launches online tool

CMPA rebates now issued quarterly
Effective immediately, Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) rebates will be issued quarterly. This is a permanent change not specific to COVID-19, though many physicians are facing reduced income and cash flow issues at this time. Watch for an upcoming MSI Physicians’ Bulletin for details.

Essential education on palliative care
Courtesy of Pallium Canada and the CMA, six free Learning Essential Approaches to Palliative Care (LEAP) modules are available. Visit pallium.ca for more information or contact Cécile Bensimon at the CMA.

Teaching stipend
The 2019 Master Agreement includes funding for non-clinical academic funding plan (C/AFP) preceptorship. COVID-19 is delaying finalizing the program details, however, payments will be retroactive to April 1, 2020. More details to come.

Virtual care codes for WCB patients
Effective March 13, three WCB fee codes can be used for virtual visits. See the April 1 MSI Physicians’ Bulletin for details.

Improved virtual care fees
All premium fees are also applicable. If the 03.03x code is more remunerative, bill the 03.03x code as outlined in the April 1 MSI Physicians’ Bulletin.

Billing rules for virtual care by residents
During the pandemic, virtual care provided by residents can be billed like a face-to-face visit (March 24 MSI Physicians’ Bulletin), as long as the resident and supervising physician are co-located. Residents cannot bill the new 03.03x. See the March 27 MSI Physicians’ Bulletin.

Repatriating retired physicians contact Katrina Philopoulos.

Phishing scams on the rise

Request from the Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS)

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, posters, public education and PPE

Information hubs to watch