Coronavirus update - July 7, 2020

coronavirus labelled test tube

Coronavirus update - July 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?
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, no new cases of COVID-19 were announced; one new case was announced on July 6 bringing the total confirmed cases in Nova Scotia to 1,065.
    • There are four active cases (all travel related), with three of four cases appropriately self-isolated. There are 998 resolved cases
    • Two individuals are currently in hospital. The COVID-19 infection is resolved for both patients, but they remain in hospital
    • The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Nova Scotia is 63
    • To date, Nova Scotia has had 55,428 negative test results
    • No licensed long-term care homes in Nova Scotia have active cases of COVID-19. As of Monday, July 6 the COVID-19 outbreak at Northwood’s Halifax campus is considered resolved after completing 28 days with no active cases
    • Nova Scotia now requires people from neighbouring Atlantic provinces to fill out a self-declaration form stating where they plan to self-quarantine, their phone number and other information. Nova Scotia 811 representatives will phone daily and if the individual cannot be reached after three attempts, police will be dispatched. A strengthened tracking system for people who travel from outside the Atlantic region is also underway
    • Reminder: There was a potential exposure to COVID-19 on WestJet flight WS 248 on June 26 from Toronto to Halifax. It departed Toronto at 10 a.m. and landed in Halifax at 1:04 p.m. Passengers in rows 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 seats A-C are more likely to have had close contact and they are asked to call 811 for advice
  • Public health is planning school immunization clinics to catch up Grade 7 students from the 2019-2020 school year
  • Nationally, there are 105,935 total cases, 8,693 deaths and 2,975,711 Canadians tested for COVID-19.
    • New federal modelling indicates progress has been made but hot spots and localized outbreaks require attention
    • The steepest declines in transmission have been among the oldest age groups, with relative increase in 20-to 39-year-olds since late May
    • Outbreaks point to vulnerabilities in closed and crowded settings
    • Lifting population-based measures without strengthening other controls will likely cause the epidemic to rebound in the September/October time frame

Course: A Practical Approach to Teaching During COVID
This course is part of a series designed to support Dalhousie medical faculty in their roles as teachers. By the end of the course, participants will be able to: identify strategies to improve online learning experiences including lecturing, grand rounds, and small group learning sessions; and to effectively provide clinical teaching and supervision in altered clinical circumstances (including virtual care). When: July 20–Aug. 31, 2020 | Webinar dates July 23, 30 and Aug. 6 and 13 (8-9 p.m.) Learn more

Webinars
Webinars and physician support sessions via Zoom have ended for the time being.

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

Reminders

Six days left: Income stabilization program ends July 13
The income stability program (ISP) ends July 13. 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.

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 to offer all physicians, learners and their families with enhanced support, such as crisis counselling and risk assessment. Call the PSP at 902-468-8215 or 1-855-275-8215 (toll-free).

Requests for personal protective equipment
Community-based physicians and their staff can receive personal protective equipment (PPE) at no cost for the next 90 days. Click here to submit a request 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.

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