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Current situation
As of today, April 6, Nova Scotia has 293 positive cases of COVID-19 in people ranging in age from under 10 to over 90. Ten individuals are currently in hospital and 64 individuals have recovered. There have been 10,218 negative test results. While most cases are connected to travel or a known case, it is now known that there is community spread. Read full news release. A map and graphic presentation of the case data is now available at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/data.
The capacity at the QEII Health Sciences Centre’s microbiology lab has been increased and the lab will begin 24/7 operations today. Testing numbers are updated daily at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus.
New measures were also announced today. Travel has been removed as requirement to be referred for COVID-19 testing now that community spread is present in Nova Scotia. An assessment is still required through 811, which will refer people to an assessment centre, if required.
Also, Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health, has directed licensed long-term care homes to follow measures to further prevent the introduction of the virus into these homes and to reduce its spread if introduced to the facility. The directive includes a number of provisions, including cleaning, monitoring of residents and staff, testing, and reporting. The directive and the measures were provided to the sector today and are effective immediately. Read more about the new measures here.
Starting today, NSHA will provide a weekly update on Mondays with the most recent number of positive COVID-19 cases among NSHA health care providers. As of 2 p.m. today, (April 6, 2020), here are the most recent numbers (please note that numbers do not include long term care workers):
- Eastern Zone – 2
- Northern Zone – 1
- Central Zone – 7
- Western Zone – 0
Our response
On-site PPE counters
Staff may notice on-site counters in some areas counting personal protective equipment (PPE) being used. We have enough PPE to meet current demands, and teams are working hard to procure additional items for our stockpile. In the meantime, it’s important that all of us continue to focus on meeting not only the demands of today, but the demands of a surge we know is coming. We are counting PPE used so we have an accurate indication of use patterns so we can ensure our PPE supply continues to meet the need. We appreciate that at times of uncertainty such as this, fear is easily escalated. Please share this information with your colleagues so that everyone understands that we are counting to identify need and to prevent PPE shortages. Here is a posterthat can be placed in areas where PPE counters are located.
Updated visitor criteria for palliative care and MAiD patients
The limitations on visitors to hospital is very difficult for everyone, especially for patients and families. A compassionate approach for palliative care and MAiD patients and their families must be balanced with public and staff safety. View updated palliative care visitor criteria and MAiD visitor criteria.
MicroMindful – updated link
Guided mindfulness practice to reduce empathic distress (10 minutes). Join in this session of a guided, evidence-based mindfulness practice for reducing empathic distress. This practice is essential learning for anyone who cares for others.
Research from the fields of psychology and neuroscience suggests that:
“…several weeks of regular compassion training can have a beneficial impact on self-reported feelings of positive affect, personal resources, and well-being during everyday life. Interestingly, the beneficial effects of compassion training are not limited to the person who is training, but can also benefit others.” (Singer & Klimecki, 2014, p. 876).
Live sessions offered every Monday at 9:30 a.m.via Zoom. Click here to join the live session. Recordings of the latest MicroMindful session are available here: Micromindful, Session 1.
Free virtual fitness classes
The QEII Fitness Committee invites you to participate in free virtual fitness classes on weekdays at 12:05 p.m. with instructor Kaycie (via Zoom). Classes are usually offered only to members of the fitness program; however given the current circumstances Kaycie has agreed to offer this class to all NSHA employees and physicians temporarily. If you would like to receive weekly meeting links to the classes, please email @email to be added to the distribution list. The committee hopes QEII staff and physicians will consider joining thefitness program when things get back to normal!
Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia launches Be the Link
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nova Scotia Mental Health and Addictions clinicians are supporting their clients through virtual care to minimize the risk of exposure. To link inpatients and outpatients to the services they need to stay on the path to recovery, the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia is asking YOU to Be The Link. Funds raised will connect Nova Scotians to the supports they need during the coronavirus pandemic. Thanks to Canada Helps and Gore Mutual Foundation, all gifts will be matchedas part of their COVID-19 fundraising efforts. To learn more or to donate, visit mentalhealthns.ca/be-the-link.
New/Updated guidance documents and resources
AKI COVID initiation communication tool (April 6, 2020)
COVID-19 Assessment clinic cost centres (April 6, 2020)
COVID-19 Endoscopy Guidelines(March 17, 2020)
PPE Guidelines for Endoscopy during COVID-19 (March 27, 2020)
Principles of Providing Endoscopy Services (March 18, 2020)
Triage Recommendations – Urgent/Benign/Cancer Surgery (April 6, 2020)
Hearts for health care
We’ve been hearing some truly positive and up-lifting stories these past weeks, and we wanted to take this opportunity to share some of them with you.
Millbrook First Nation posted this sign to say wela’lioq/thank you near Colchester East Hants Health Centre.
Thank you to all the first responders who saluted our staff and physicians at Cape Breton Regional Hospital on Sunday afternoon.