Symptomatic testing for Nova Scotia Health care workers – 1-833-750-0632
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DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE UPDATE | MAY 5, 2021
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The SHORT Report
May 1 - Doctors Day
Welcome, Farewell & Opportunity
Congratulations!
- Dr. Jean Gray inducted into Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
- CFMS Culture Changers
- Upcoming award deadlines
We Need You
- Department COVID Challenge
Sun Safety
- Sun Awareness Week in Canada & Melanoma Awareness Month
Nova Scotia Health
- Senior Medical Director, QEII New Generation Project
- COVID-19 online screening tool for staff entering Nova Scotia Health buildings
- COVID Community Virtual Care Team (CCVCT)
- Response to the third wave
- Accreditation survey visit postponed until 2022
Research
- DoM Virtual Research Week Winners - April 29
Education
- OSCE
- CaRMS
- Hosted National Chief Residents Conference
Upcoming Events
- Lunch and Learn: Medical Assistance in Dying: Where are we now? by Dr. Gubitz
- CPSNS new standard for MAID - Approved April 26
COVID-19
- Nova Scotia Cases
- Monthly timeline
Quick Reference / Recurring Content
- Added link - Nova Scotia Government YouTube Channel / Stayinformed webcast
- Removed link - http://helpinghealthcareheroes.ca/
- Removed link - Care for the Caregiver newsletter
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Hi everyone,
I hope this newsletter finds you all well and taking good care of yourselves as we are responding to the third wave of COVID in our province.
I am again left without words at the wonderful generosity of department members (physicians and administrative staff) who are stepping forward to help in this fight.
Case numbers are still rising, and although this can be stressful, the work we have done together with other departments and the health authority has us ready to take care of those who will need us when the time comes. More than ever, we need to be strong and continue to advocate for strict adherence to universal pandemic precautions, promotion of vaccination for EVERYONE and maximize our efforts for asymptomatic testing.
As you know, on behalf of Dr. Lisa Barrett and the pop-up clinic teams, we have put out a departmental challenge to get as many of our members as we can participating in asymptomatic testing and volunteering at the pop up clinics (see the details below). When the challenge concludes, the proceeds will go to FeedNS and ShelterNS.
I love my job as Department Head and I am not leaving it, but I am adding a new leadership role to my work. I feel very privileged to have been named the new Senior Medical Director for the QEII New Generation Redevelopment project (see the detailed announcement below). I feel this is a great opportunity for our department and for all clinical/academic departments. My current roles as Department of Medicine Head and Chair of the Clinical Alternate Funding Program Department Heads Committee will bring a strong voice for clinical/academic physicians, and the health care teams we work on. This voice will be important as we transition through the building and readiness phases for the move into the COC and the new HI campus. I am excited for the new opportunities this will bring to advance the care of our patients.
Each month there are a number of recognition days. Although we can’t list them all we do like to bring some attention to those that promote our health and wellness. On May 1 st we recognized Doctors’ Day. In case you missed my email it is included below. It is also Sun Awareness Week and our very own Dr. Kerri Purdy (Division Head Dermatology) has some important words below.
As always if you have a recognition day, or anything else you would like to include in an upcoming newsletter, let us know.
Stay well!
Christine
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Latest
COVID-19 Updates for DoM
745 - 800 a.m.
Tuesdays
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Christine Short, MD, FRCP(C), FACP
Associate Professor & Head/Chief, Department of Medicine
Dalhousie University / Central Zone, Nova Scotia Health
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PHAC: COVID-19 Vaccine Emerging Issues Webinar
Recommended by Sudeep Shivakumar
Read more
nccid.ca
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AstraZeneca vaccine: How do you weigh up the risks and...
Recommended by Lynn Johnston
Read more
www.bbc.com
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Today May 1, 2021 is Doctors’ Day!
I want to take a minute to thank all of you for the work you do for the Department of Medicine every day.
This has been a challenging year and I am continually impressed, and very grateful, to see how we have come together during these difficult times to help and support each other.
We all need each other to succeed whether it be in our clinical work throughout the zone; or our academic work where our department extends across Nova Scotia and the Maritimes.
The Department has been working on a journal for our members to use and I am sending a copy to all of you today. You can use it electronically; and if you would like a hard copy, to write in, please let Mary Synette ( mary.synette@nshealth.ca) know and we will get one to you.
The Department is a better place because each of you are part of it.
Happy Doctors Day!
Warmest Regards,
Christine
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"The Department is a better place because each of you are part of it."
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Why Nova Scotia doctors are proud to care for their patients
May 1 is Doctors Day - a time to recognize Nova Scotia's doctors and their dedication to patient care. The event is taking on a special significance this year as we mark the second Doctors Day of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has shown us...
Read more
www.yourdoctors.ca
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Happy Doctors' Day from Nova Scotia Health
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WELCOME, FAREWELL & OPPORTUNITY
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We welcome the following members to their new positions:
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Tim Robinson, Accounting Specialist, joined the DoM Finance Office on April 12.
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Dr. Vicki Munro will join the Division of Endocrinology as a 0.20 FTE on May 1.
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Dr. Sam Searle will join the Division of Geriatric Medicine as a 1.00 FTE 1-year locum on May 1.
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Dr. Caitlin Lees will join the Division of Palliative Medicine as a 1.00 FTE on May 10.
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We are grateful for having these team members in our department. We say farewell and best wishes to:
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Taylour Stevens' last day with the Finance Office was April 21.
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Dr. Ismail Sharif is leaving the Division of Hematology on May 31, 2021.
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OPPORTUNITY
Open until
May 28, 2021 or if unfilled, position will remain open.
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QEII Foundation Endowed Chair in Palliative Care Research
The Faculty of Medicine at Dalhousie University is pleased to invite applications for the QEII Foundation Endowed Chair in Palliative Care Research.
The successful candidate for the Chair position will engage in palliative care research, as well as work with the Nova Scotia Health Integrated Palliative Care Network to enhance evidence-based care for people living with life limiting conditions, integrating the latest research, evaluation tools and quality-improvement methodologies into Nova Scotia’s integrated palliative care system. The Chair is intended to have a dual role, enhancing palliative care research while simultaneously using that research to influence policies and standards to improve the quality of life and outcomes for people facing serious illness, and their families, in Nova Scotia.
Full posting:
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Dr. Jean Gray inducted into
Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
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2020 Inductee
Dr. Jean Gray
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Congratulations to Dr. Jean Gray, a long time member of the Department of Medicine & Division of General Internal Medicine, for being inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame.
Six Canadian medical heroes are inducted annually into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame. Their work may be a single meritorious contribution or a lifetime of superior accomplishments. Pioneers in their field, they are role models of excellence in health in Canada and the world.
The virtual ceremony was held on April 29, 2021. It was originally scheduled for April 2020 in Vancouver, BC.
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Did you know?
The Department of Medicine has a second CMHF Laureate:
2014
Dr. Thomas John (Jock) Murray
Division of Neurology
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2nd Annual CFMS Culture Changers Campaign
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The CMFS Student Mistreatment Taskforce is excited to announce the 2nd annual Culture Changers Campaign to promote the positive contributions made by physicians and residents to medical student education! On May 1, National Doctors Day, physicians were highlighted who have created a positive learning environment for students across Canada.
Each Spring, nominations are accepted from medical students who would like to acknowledge "Culture Changers" - those residents and physicians who have made lasting impacts on their medical education. They will receive a commemorative pin in the shape of an apple: a symbol of knowledge and education to celebrate their contribution to medical education.
DoM would like to congratulate its members:
Dr. Volodko Bakowsky, Division of Rheumatology
Dr. Doug Hayami, Division of Cardiology
Dr. Daniel Malebranche, Division of Cardiology
Dr. Kerrie Schoffer, Division of Neurology
Dr. Maia von Maltzahn, Division of Geriatric Medicine
Dr. George Worthen, PGY4 Nephrology
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Upcoming award deadlines:
May 15 - Dr. G. W. Archibald Gold-headed Cane Award in Medical Humanities
- nomination letter
- maximum of three additional Letters of Support
- abbreviated 2-page CV (font size 12)
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Department COVID Challenge
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Calling all Department of Medicine Members!
Over a thousand Nova Scotians have volunteered in recent months in the organization and implementation of pop-up COVID testing sites. Organizations, businesses and groups are now being challenged to step up and volunteer their noses and their time in the COVID effort as we battle (hopefully the last!) wave of COVID variants. We need every person and nose on deck.
We are challenging all department members to drop in to a pop-up clinic and get your asymptomatic test done, or better yet volunteer!
The department will donate $10 dollars every time a department member gets an asymptomatic test and $20 dollars every time someone volunteers to help at one of our many pop-up COVID asymptomatic testing sites.
We will give credit retrospective to April 23 and the challenge will continue for the next 14 days ending May 14th.
Notify Mary Synette ( mary.synette@nshealth.ca) to get credit for participating. Take a selfie (optional) and we will get some great positive PR out there and encourage all of our communities to step up.
Proceeds from the challenge will go to FeedNS and ShelterNS.
Take care and stay well,
Christine
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If you would like to volunteer:
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Subject line:
DOM Pop-up Volunteer
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Our EA Janet Hartnett getting her rapid test at the roving cart at the NSRC building yesterday.
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Sun Awareness Week in Canada &
Melanoma Awareness Month
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Dr. Kerri Purdy, Interim Division Head
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May is melanoma awareness month and it’s important to remember sun safety during this month and all year.
Regardless of skin type or colour, UV exposure increases your risk of cancer. Your amount of sun exposure is one of the only things you can modify!
Don't forget to protect your eyes with sunglasses and every dermatologist loves a wide brimmed hat.
Sunscreen selection is important also - I always tell patients to look for broad spectrum sun protection of at least an SPF 30 or higher.
For recognizing possible melanoma, look for pigmented lesions that are new or changing in size, shape, colour or border.
Learn more at:
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Senior Medical Director,
QEII New Generation Project
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The QEII New Generation Project announced on April 27, 2021 that Dr. Christine Short has been appointed as the new senior medical director.
Dr. Short completed her degree in medicine at Dalhousie University in 1994. She completed her fellowship (FRCPC) in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Dalhousie (June 13, 1999). She is also a fellow of the American College of Physicians. Dr. Short is an associate professor and the head/chief for the Department of Medicine Dalhousie University Faculty of Medicine and the Nova Scotia Health Authority (Central Zone). She previously served as division chief for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and co-lead for the Rehabilitation Program from 2008-2017. She has been a fulltime medical staff member in the Dept. of Medicine, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the QEII Health Sciences Centre since September of 1999. She has a cross appointment with the Division of Neurosurgery.
Dr. Short’s leadership focus has been and continues in clinical/academic medicine. She serves as head of the Department of Medicine, chair of the Clinical/Academic Funding Department Heads Committee and treasurer/chair elect for the Canadian Association of Professors in Medicine.
Dr. Short serves on several national committees dedicated to providing the best evidence base for clinical management of persons with Spinal Cord Injury and she was a physician lead for the development of the Accreditation Standards for acute and rehabilitative care for persons with SCI for Accreditation Canada. In addition, Dr. Short continues to be professionally engaged with many associations and specialty committees both nationally and internationally.
Over the past several years Dr. Short has been extensively involved with our redevelopment projects. She has served on the QEII New Generation Project Clinical Executive Committee and has been a highly involved and influential voice in design planning for both the Bayer’s Lake Community Outpatient Centre and the Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project. We have been thoroughly impressed with Dr. Short’s leadership and are grateful for the opportunity to have her share these talents and her time with our projects.
In addition to her work, she is a wife and mother of three.
Congratulations Dr. Short!
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COVID-19 online screening tool for staff entering Nova Scotia Health buildings
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Staff, physicians, vendors, suppliers and contractors can use the HealthQ tool to respond to screening questions prior to entering Nova Scotia Health facilities, fast-tracking the entry process.
HealthQ Screener
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Daily online screening
Launched Friday, April 30
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Nova Scotia Health's
COVID Community Virtual Care Team (CCVCT)
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With the rising COVID-19 cases in the province, Nova Scotia Health has reinstated the COVID Community Virtual Care Team (CCVCT) to provide on-call virtual physician support and monitoring of all positive COVID-19 cases in the province (above age 16). The objective of this care team is to provide patients with interventions to support at home treatment and recovery and avoid hospitalization where possible. This team also provides patients with an admitting pathway for those requiring in hospital or ICU support.
The team is supported with administrative leadership from Nova Scotia Health’s Executive Leadership Team, Medical Affairs, and Research and Innovation. The team will work under the co-leadership of Dr. Ashley Miller, chief medical information officer and Graeme Kohler, director of primary care. On Saturday, May 1, the team gathered for a full-day training session to bring physicians up to speed on patient work flows.
On May 2, the first patients were enrolled in the program. The first group of patients will be triaged in priority order, based on risk for disease complications or hospitalization. Within the first couple of days, the group expects to enroll all high risk COVID-19 positive patients in the program and provide support to those identified as COVID-19 positive by public health.
There is NO referral process required for CCVCT. All adult patients (above age 16) diagnosed with COVID-19 will be contacted once their data is released to the CCVCT from Public Health. There is a short delay in onboarding to allow Public Health to notify the patient of their status first.
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First patients were enrolled on Sunday, May 2.
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Nova Scotia Health's response to the third wave
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Video message from Dr. Brendan Carr, Nova Scotia Health President & CEO
Uploaded: April 28, 2021
Time: 4 minutes
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Accreditation survey visit postponed until 2022
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Nova Scotia Health was awarded ‘accredited’ status in 2017 with the next visit scheduled for October 2021.
In consideration of recent circumstances, rescheduling of the next Accreditation survey visit was recently requested and approved for October 2022.
Excerpts from:
Message from Dr. Brendan Carr, CEO
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Accreditation survey visit rescheduled for October 2022.
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DoM Virtual Research Week 2021
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Please join us in congratulating the recipients of the 2021 DoM Virtual Research Week awards:
- Best Core Resident Presentation: Jasmine Mah - “No where to go: Socially vulnerable adults are more likely to have longer hospital stays and be transferred to ALC status awaiting long‐term care” (Oral presentation)
- Best Subspecialty Resident Presentation: Thomas Brothers - “Uptake of slow-release oral morphine as opioid agonist treatment among hospitalized patients with opioid use disorder” (Poster presentation)
- Best Undergraduate Student Presentation: Martha Foley - “The Impact of Combined Warm and Cold Ischemia Time on Post Transplant Outcomes” (Oral Presentation)
- Best Case Report Presentation: Kari Lynn Middleton - “First report of a Thiotepa Autologous stem cell transplant for a patient with primary refractory Burkitt Lymphoma and Central Nervous System involvement” (Oral presentation)
- Best Graduate Student Presentation: Jack Quach - “The impact of a long‐term structured physical activity intervention on frailty and mobility disability” (Oral presentation)
- Best Research Fellow Presentation: Shanna Trenaman - “Potentially Inappropriate Drug Duplication in a Cohort of Older Adults with Dementia” (Oral presentation)
- Best Research Staff Presentation: Rachel Warren - “HDL-cholesterol and haptoglobin (Hp) phenotype in the ACCORD lipid trial: the good, the bad and the dysfunctional” (Oral presentation)
Thank you to all of our presenters, judges, and participants for taking part in this virtual event!
From:
DoM Research
April 29, 2021
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OSCE
The Internal Medicine Resident OSCE was a successful virtual event held in April. Thank you to all staff involved. It was a long day but greatly appreciated by the residents and program.
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CaRMS
The 2021 CaRMS PGY1 match was successful for all three streams in the first iteration of Internal Medicine at Dalhousie University.
Halifax - 13
Regional - 2
Saint John - 4
The 2021 CaRMS PGY1 match was successful in the first iteration of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Dalhousie University.
Halifax - 2
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OSCE:
Objective
Structured
Clinical
Examination
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CaRMS:
Canadian
Resident
Matching
Service
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Chief Medicine Resident Conference
On April 16 & 17, 2021, the Chief Medicine Resident Conference was hosted virtually this year by Dr. Whitney Faiella, PGY3 Core Internal Medicine representing Dalhousie University's Core Internal Medicine Program. Over 30 chiefs from around the country participated in this national conference.
Discussion topics included:
- Competency By Design (Dr. Aaron Leblanc);
- Pearls from a Past Chief (Dr. Alison Rodger),
- Wellness & Resiliency in Residency (Dr. Carolyn Thomson and Dr. Lisa Sutherland) and
- breakout group sessions on POCUS/Sim, COVID-19 changes, MTU/CTU and call structure.
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New Standard for Medical Assistance in Dying
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The Standard reflects important changes in Canada’s legal approach to MAiD as provided for with the passage of Bill C-7 last month. These changes include a pathway to eligibility to MAiD for patients whose natural death is not reasonably foreseeable, as well as ongoing eligibility for patients who have lost capacity after having been found to be eligible ( Audrey’s Amendment).
April 27, 2021
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NEW!
Approved April 26, 2021
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MAID
legislation
changes
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Lunch and Learn: Medical Assistance in Dying: Where are we now?
Presented by Dr. Gord Gubitz
Thursday, May 6
12 noon to 1 p.m.
To join: see calendar invitation
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29 currently in hospital (non-ICU);
93 total patient admissions
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8 currently in ICU;
26 total patient admissions
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634,285
total completed tests
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68,536
Rapid tests at pop-up locations
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325,218
Total vaccine doses administered
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36,687
People who have received second dose
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12
South African variant
(B.1.351)
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1
Brazilian variant
(P.1)
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As of May 4, 2021
Nova Scotia Health staff and physicians experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, contact Occupational Health: 1-833-750-0632
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After getting a COVID-19 vaccine
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You must continue to follow all public health guidelines (eg. wearing a mask/PPE, washing your hands and physical distancing).
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Vaccine plan on track; 200,000 doses administered
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First instance of Brazilian (P.1) variant identified in NS
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Nova Scotians 60 and older can book appointments for Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at clinics across the province.
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2021 IIHF Women’s World Hockey Championship cancelled
Scheduled for May 6-16 in Halifax and Truro, the championship is cancelled due to concerns over the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Nova Scotia.
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Restrictions on travel to Nova Scotia
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Restrictions return for Halifax Regional Municipality
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Gathering limits lowered outside Halifax, Fines double to $2,000
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Nova Scotians 55 and older can book appointments for Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at clinics across the province.
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HRM Schools close and move to at-home learning
Update will be provided on or by May 12
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Restrictions for entire province; shutdown
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Working to resolve backlog of tests
Due to the volume of testing in the province, the Nova Scotia Health Authority lab is experiencing a backlog in testing. About 45,000 tests are waiting to be processed. There is also a delay in public health’s case data entry into Panorama. In the interim, pop-up testing sites should be used for asymptomatic cases, where possible, over the next few days.
Work to increase testing capacity in NS for COVID-19 has been hugely successful over the last year. Processing capacity at
QEII lab:
February 2020 – 200 tests / day
April 30, 2021 – 15,000 tests / day
Cape Breton Regional Hospital lab:
April 30, 2021 - now able to process 2,000 tests / day
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Vaccine Plan on Track; 300,000+ Doses Administered
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Nova Scotians 40 to 64 able to book AstraZeneca Vaccine; Release
- People aged 55 and older can book appointments for Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.
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Temporary service reductions throughout Nova Scotia Health
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Surgeries that require admission will be reduced temporarily. Surgeons' office will contact patients directly.
- A limited number of priority surgeries requiring admission will occur each day, for those requiring urgent or cancer-related procedures.
- Day surgeries will continue at this time.
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Visitor restrictions at Nova Scotia Health facilities
The following visitor restrictions are in place across the province:
TWO designated support people per day (one at a time) for:
- Palliative care and other patients nearing end of life*
- Patients receiving medical assistance in dying*
- Children under 18 admitted to hospital**
*patients may identify a maximum of five designated support people; two support people will be permitted per day, one at a time.
** families may identify up to two support people per week.
ONE designated support person for:
- Labour and birth
- Children under 18 years in outpatient settings
- Only for patients who need support to receive care due to physical, intellectual, cognitive or emotional conditions. The decision to allow a support person in these circumstances requires agreement between the patient and the care team.
- Hospital inpatients
- Outpatients, including patients arriving at the hospital for cancer care, emergency and ambulatory clinics, appointments or procedures
Whenever possible, teams will use technology to enable virtual involvement of support persons.
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Nova Scotians 50 to 54 can book appointments for Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at clinics across the province.
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First drive-thru vaccination clinic
Nova Scotia’s first COVID-19 vaccination drive-thru clinic will open on Monday, May 10, at the Dartmouth General Hospital. This clinic will be for people 50 and older. Appointments will be posted Tuesday, May 4.
- There are two drive-thru’s set up - one will continue to do swabbing and one will be for vaccinations.
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QUICK REFERENCE /
RECURRING CONTENT
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Nova Scotia Health / Dr. Lynn Johnston
Uploaded: March 13, 2020
Video: 10 min
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Nova Scotia Health / Dr. Glenn Patriquin
Uploaded: April 3, 2020
Video: 3 min
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Canada.ca
Uploaded: June 15, 2020
Video: 1 min 25 seconds
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All press briefings are listed
OR
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Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia
Complete online then download or email document. Once signed and witnessed, it is valid.
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Spectrum MD
(Antimicrobial Stewardship)
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Nova Scotia Health logo needs to be visible in the upper left corner of the home screen to ensure you are accessing local content.
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Nova Scotia Health staff and physicians experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, contact Occupational Health:
1-833-750-0632
https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting
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Potential COVID Exposures
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Worldwide (May 4/21)
- over 150 million confirmed cases
- over 3 million deaths
- over 1 billion vaccinations administered
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When you take care of yourself, you take care of others.
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