Coronavirus update - June 8, 2020

coronavirus labelled test tube

Coronavirus update - June 8, 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 the weekly Zoom meeting – see details below under webinars.

What’s new?

  • Today, no new cases of COVID-19 were announced; one case was announced over the weekend, bringing the total cases in Nova Scotia to 1,059.
  • Nationally, there are 95,699 total cases, 7,800 deaths and 1,896,822 Canadians tested for COVID-19. 
    • New modelling shows 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

First income stability disbursement included two payments
Members who joined the income stability program should have received their first payment on Wednesday, June 3. The payment was for both May 20 and June 3.

If you billed fee-for-service and received payment during the month of May, a reconciliation process will take place topping up those who billed more. For those who bill less there will be no further adjustments. While you are on the income stability program, you must continue to shadow bill for the services you provide using the new Business Administration number provided to you by MSI when you joined the program

Questions? Contact Jessica Moore or 902-481-4922.

Help inform Nova Scotia’s virtual care strategy
The province’s health authorities are seeking physician input to develop a virtual care strategy for the province. Click here to sign up for a 30-to 60-minute chat about virtual care. Topics will include:

  • Virtual visits
  • Secure messaging
  • Virtual patient education
  • Case conferencing
  • E-results
  • Online assessment
  • Remote clinical devices
  • Home monitoring devices
  • Patient portals
  • E-consults and e-referrals

Click here to learn more about these virtual care platforms.

IWK outpatient blood collection lab appointment process
The IWK outpatient collection lab has moved to a booked appointment service to manage patient flow to support physical distance and adhere to appropriate infection prevention and control guidelines. Space is limited. Physicians are asked to provide the following information to patients:

  • Patients must bring the blood requisition form from their doctor to the appointment
  • Patients/guardians must have their health card number and expiry date available when calling to book an appointment

Learn more

Reminder: Quick COVID-19 primary care
More than 90% of primary care providers are using telemedicine and almost half (43-48%) are using video to provide health care while reducing exposure to COVID-19. Virtual health is a complementary way of delivering primary care that’s likely here to stay. This week’s survey asks questions about using telephone and video visits with your patients. Take four minutes to fill out this week’s survey and have your voice heard. Click HERE to take the survey before 11:59 p.m. tonight.

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

Joule COVID-19 innovation grants
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. Apply online June 4-21. Learn more

Food box program
For patients in need, Feed Nova Scotia’s COVID-19 food box program can help. 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.

Medical students provide companionship to isolated patients
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 to provide emotional support and companionship. Physicians can refer patients by email or by completing the physician referral form.

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

Information hubs to watch