COVID-19 Staff Update - April 1, 2020
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# of lab-confirmed and probable positive cases in Manitoba:
127
# of cases yesterday:
103
# of COVID-19 related deaths:
1
# of cases in IERHA:
5
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Tod
ay's news
- New screening procedures are being implemented for staff working in acute and long-term care facilities. Implementation of these measures will begin roll-out today and will involve all staff arriving for the start of their shift to have their temperature taken and be required to answer questions about any symptoms they have, their travel history and their exposure to positive COVID-19 cases. Staff who are required to come and go during the course of their shift may be re-screened upon re-entry into facilities and service areas.
- Public health is advising that people remain within or close to their home communities. This includes limiting travel, even within Manitoba, to essential trips only. Services at smaller health centres could be strained if seasonal visitors become ill.
From the Incident Command Table:
- More information is coming on new direction for staff in direct patient care (facility and community) to wear PPE continually.
- A provincial call centre has been established to assist with daily monitoring of people who are self-isolating.
- We will soon be able to send N95 masks for reprocessing - guidelines are pending.
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Managing staff and physician exposure to COVID-19
As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve in Manitoba, every preparation is underway and every precaution is being taken to ensure we are able to safely care for COVID-19 patients. Similar preparations are underway to manage situations where staff or physicians may themselves be exposed to – or test positive for - COVID-19.
Every positive COVID-19 test result prompts an immediate contact tracing investigation by Public Health. In situations involving health care workers, these investigations will also involve Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) if colleagues have been exposed and Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) if patients have been exposed.
Aggressive case identification and contact tracing has been shown in other jurisdictions to have an impact on the virus’ epidemiological curve. In the absence of being able to identify the exact point at which symptoms began, the 48 hour time frame will allow for broader investigation and identification of potential exposure.
Contact Tracing involves the following:
• A Public Health investigation begins immediately to determine the nature of the individual’s activities from a period up to 48 hours prior to the development of overt symptoms. This time-frame allows for a thorough examination of an individual’s activity even before they may have noticed symptoms or felt unwell;
• Potential points of contact – including family members, colleagues, patients, and locations frequented – are identified and steps taken to determine the potential exposure; 1/1
• In cases involving health care workers,
OSH
and IP&C are involved to determine the nature of the contact and whether precautions are required for colleagues (
OSH
) or patients (IP&C);
• Staff and physicians who are determined to have had possible significant exposure will be contacted by
OSH
, asked to self-isolate at home and to self-monitor for symptoms.
OSH
will only contact those at risk of exposure.
Staff and physicians that are not contacted by
OSH
and not given specific instruction to stay home should continue to come to work.
Staff and physicians contacted by
OSH
and told to self-isolate at home should notify their manager.
COVID-19 can be spread through close contact (within two metres or six feet) with an infected person who is coughing or sneezing. You can also get COVID-19 by touching objects contaminated with the virus and then touching your mouth, eyes or nose. Staff are reminded of the importance of proper hand hygiene and following routine practices and all other IP&C protocols.
Staff must stay home when sick, even if symptoms are mild. We all have a duty to protect our patients, our colleagues and our community. Please watch for the following: recent onset of fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose in addition to other symptoms such as muscle aches, fatigue, headache, diarrhea and vomiting. If you experience these symptoms, please self-isolate immediately and contact
OSH
or designate.
Occupational Health Services and Designate contact information are available by referring to
https://sharedhealthmb.ca/files/covid-19-guidelines-for-managers.pdf.
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Contact info. for IERHA Occupational Health & Safety
Managers, Supervisors and Staff can use this email to contact the Occupational Health Nurse regarding a staff member who requires COVID-19 screening, and follow-up. This email and toll-free phone number will be monitored daily (including weekends) from 0800-2000 hours.
Phone: 1-844-940-1993
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Reminder about social media use:
3.2.7 Any views expressed in a posting that relate in any way to Interlake-Eastern RHA must be accurate and well informed. Any claims must be substantiated.
3.2.8 Staff must not post any inappropriate content. Examples of inappropriate content include, but are not limited to, depictions or presentations of the following;
3.2.8.5 postings that defame or otherwise discredit the products or services of Interlake-Eastern RHA or its Staff, partners, affiliated, patients, vendors, or other third parties;
3.2.8.6 postings that include Sensitive Information about Staff, patients or other third parties, without their consent;
We must continue to support those around us and encourage anyone who meets criteria to get tested, without fear of societal backlash. As health-care staff, we must set an example to others by abiding by all public health directives, reminding others of their duty to as well, and encouraging each other during these trying times. We go into health-care to help others and that includes our patients, clients, residents and coworkers.
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Regional screening/testing activity:
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Selkirk
Every day, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
622 Superior Ave.
Fri., March 27:
91 screened, 83 tested
Sat., March 28
44 screened, 35 tested
Sun., March 29
35 screened, 29 tested
Mon., March 30
56 screened, 46 tested
Tuesday, March 31
77 screened, 71 tested
Wednesday, April 1
67 screened, 61 tested
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Eriksdale
Mon-Fri, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
35 Railway Ave. (Wellness Cnt.)
Friday, March 27:
12 screened, 6 tested
No service on weekends
No service on weekends
Mon., March 30:
7 screened, 4 tested
Tuesday, March 31
6 screened, 4 tested
Wednesday, April 1
7 screened, 4 tested
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Powerview-Pine Falls
Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
33 Vincent St. (school gym)
Friday, March 27:
19 screened, 18 tested
No service on weekends
No service on weekends
Mon., March 30:
23 screened, 19 tested
Tuesday, March 31
18 screened, 12 tested
Wednesday, April 1
14 screened, 8 tested
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Clinical trial underway
Staff are advised of the University of Manitoba's involvement in a multi-provincial randomized clinical trial underway to evaluate a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for COVID-19.
Quebec, Manitoba and Alberta are recruiting a
dults who have a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, or are a household member exposed to a person who has COVID-19, or are a health-care worker who had a high risk exposure to a COVID-19 case.
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All staff are advised to check the
Shared Health page
daily for information relevant to your delivery of care in these rapidly changing times of COVID-19.
Latest Operational Updates
Protocols and Procedures
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IERHA now has a COVID-19 page on
StaffNet
and you can navigate to it via the QuickLinks on the left hand navigation.
The Province has established a publicly accessible
coronavirus website
that is updated reg
ularly with information for the public and for care providers.
How are you doing? Please review IERHA's award-winning
Mental Health webpage
to identify ways to support your mental health.
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More information in regards to regional and provincial coronavirus response will be provided to you as it becomes available. If you have questions or concerns about Infection Prevention and Control processes and procedures, please don't hesitate to contact your site coordinator:
Amanda Preachuk, IP&C Coordinator
Sites of responsibility:
Ashern – Lakeshore Hospital & PCH
Eriksdale – E.M. Crowe Memorial Hospital & PCH
Selkirk Regional Health Centre
Kristin Stewart, IP&C Coordinator
Sites of responsibility:
Gimli Hospital
Lac Du Bonnet PCH
Lundar PCH
Pine Falls Health Complex & Sunnywood PCH
Pinawa Hospital
Stonewall Regional Health Centre & Rosewood PCH
Teulon – Hunter Memorial Hospital & Goodwin Lodge PCH
Shawna Ferenc, IP&C Coordinator
Sites of responsibility:
Arborg – Arborg and Districts Health Centre and PCH
Beausejour - East Gate Lodge PCH and Beausejour Health Centre
Fisher Branch PCH
Hodgson/Berens - Dialysis
Oakbank - Kin Place PCH
Red River, Tudor House & Betel PCH Resource
Whitemouth PCH
Patrice Lee
Clinical Team Manager and Infection, Prevention and Control
Stonewall Hospital
P: (204) 467-3386 / C: (204) 461-0421
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