Tuesday COVID updates at 7:45-8 am will start again on January 18. Login information will be sent to your email. |
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DOM MONTHLY NEWSLETTER | JANUARY 12, 2022 |
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The SHORT Report
Support Programs
Record your BOOSTER with OHSW
Departmenal Survey - meetings encouraged
Member Updates
- Welcome
- Farewell
- Recruitment
- Assistant Clerkship Director
Feature - Did You Know?
- Siony Neale, Administrative Assistant and Artist
Kudos
- Dr. Kenneth Rockwood wins Ryman Prize
- Research NS establishes Centre of Excellence for Healthy Aging at Cape Breton University
- CF Team wins 2022 Excellence in Patient Experience Award
- COVID Community Virtual Care Team (CCVCT) wins 2022 Health Care Quality Team Award
- Dr. Colleen O'Connell wins 2021 Outstanding Healthcare Partner Award
- Land Donation from Andrew Family
- Holiday Blanket Donations - Outcomes of Generosity!
Upcoming Events
- January 14 - Departmental Killam Scholarship
- January 24 - Call for Abstracts - DoM Research Week 2022
- February 11 - Volunteers for Faculty Committees
- February 13 - Wear Red Canada
- February 22 - Teach the Teacher 2022
- April 19 - 22 - DoM Research Week 2022
- May 31 - DoM Quality Day 2022
COVID-19
- Nova Scotia Cases
- Monthly timeline
Quick Reference / Recurring Content
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Happy New Year to everyone!
We are starting 2022 off in a place where we would rather not be with this pandemic. Pressures on acute care are at an all-time high and we are all feeling it. We are also feeling the pressures at home with online school for our kids and even struggling with COVID illness and exposures.
Nova Scotia Health, Doctors Nova Scotia and Dalhousie all have excellent supports that we all can access (see supports below). Don’t hesitate to reach out and make sure you are getting the support you need.
It is more important than ever for us to work together as everyone is tired and our fuel tanks are on low. We have a large department and we have the skills and knowledge to get through this pandemic. I know I have said it many times before but I am truly grateful for everything that each of you are doing to support our patients, our learners and our department through this unprecedented time in history.
I am hoping 2022 will be a time of growth and learning for us. Our Departmental Survey continues this month and it is most important for the survey committee to hear from all of you about our strengths and challenges. Having solid recommendations that we can build on relies heavily on the information the committee receives from everyone. To schedule a meeting (details below), please email: shruti.joshi@dal.ca. I encourage all of you to take some time to participate.
We have many exciting features in our newsletter this month. I hope they bring a bit of brightness to your day. Don’t forget to send us your story ideas to anne.veinotte@nshealth.ca. |
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Tuesday COVID updates at 7:45 am will start again January 18.
Login information will be sent to your email.
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Stay well,
Christine
Christine Short, MD, FRCP(C), FACP
Associate Professor & Head/Chief, Department of Medicine
Dalhousie University / Central Zone, Nova Scotia Health
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Doctors Nova Scotia: Professional Support Program
Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
Canadian Psychological Association
LifeSpeak (Nova Scotia Health)
Nova Scotia Mental Health Crisis Line
Nova Scotia Crisis Text Line
- Text – NSSTRONG to 741741
Online Wellness Sessions (NSH Library Services)
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Nova Scotia Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Program (MHAP) has free e-Mental Health and Addictions tools available to all Nova Scotians including health care workers and physicians.
These tools include:
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Mindwell U - free online support that takes just five minutes a day, and can be accessed anywhere and on any device. This service is available in English and French. https://app.mindwellu.com/novascotia
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Therapy Assistance Online (TAO) – free and private online resource that includes interactive activities and videos for people having challenges with their mental health. This service is available in English and French. https://www.taoconnect.org/
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Wellness Together Canada – mental health and substance abuse support that contains free online resources, tools, apps and connections to trained volunteers and qualified mental health professionals when needed. https://wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA
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Togetherall – free and safe online peer-to-peer mental health community that empowers individuals to anonymously seek and provide support 24/7. It is available to all youth and young adults aged 16-29, providing an inclusive and supportive place to connect with others with real lived experience with common mental health concerns. To sign up go to togetherall.com and use your Nova Scotia postal code to register. https://togetherall.com/en-ca/
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RECORD YOUR BOOSTER WITH OHSW |
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REMINDER:
Nova Scotia Health employees and physicians who receive their booster dose are asked to add it to their vaccination record with Occupational Health Safety & Wellness (OHSW) using the Nova Scotia Health COVID-19 Immunization Disclosure web form. This will allow us to clear you for work quickly if you are exposed. If you have already received your booster, please submit to OHSW using the web form.
Thanks,
Denise
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DEPARTMENTAL SURVEY - MEETINGS ENCOURAGED |
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Subject: Departmental Survey
Importance: High
Dept of Medicine faculty members:
As you may be aware, the Department of Medicine is undergoing a first term survey. As part of the survey process, the committee is interested in your views on the teaching, research, clinical and administrative activities of the Department and is seeking your input. The committee will be meeting with key individuals and groups (January 14, 17 and 21, 2022). Some of these individuals or groups have already been identified due to their role, but any departmental member or group is encouraged to request a meeting with the committee.
You may request an individual or group meeting. If you choose to meet as a group, please appoint one group member to schedule the meeting on behalf of the group. This group member will need to provide the names and contact information of all group members so that everyone can be added to the meeting invitation and schedule. Groups must be established prior to contacting the Dean’s Office.
If you would like to meet with the committee, please contact Shruti Joshi, Receptionist / Administrative Assistant in the Dean’s Office (shruti.joshi@dal.ca).
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Shruti Joshi
Receptionist / Administrative Assistant
Dean’s Office
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We welcome the following members to their new positions:
- January 4 - Jill Lindgren, Education Program Assistant, Division of Medical Oncology.
- January 5 - Elaine Charlton, Administrative Assistant to Drs. Workman, Manning and Miller, Division of General Internal Medicine.
- January 17 - Crystal Leverman, DoM Manager, will assume the divisions previously managed by Carl Quinlan. Divisions will be Cardiology, Clinical Dermatology & Cutaneous Science, Geriatric Medicine, Medical Oncology, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Respirology, Rheumatology. Crystal comes to us from the Department of Health and Wellness.
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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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Cassandra Duffenais, Acting DoM Undergraduate Education Coordinator. Thank you to Cassandra for helping in this temporary role while Nina Nedic is on leave. Cassandra's last day was January 7.
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Dr. Ciorsti MacIntyre, Cardiologist, completed her medical degree, internal medicine residency (was also co-chief resident) and her cardiology residency at Dalhousie. In 2018, she completed a cardiology fellowship in Boston. Dr. MacIntyre will be leaving on January 31 for the Mayo Clinic.
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Kathryn McIlrath, is taking on a new role as Human Resources Advisor in the Office of Advancement at Dalhousie. Kathryn has worked at the department for almost 13 years in her role as Physician Resource Officer. While we recognize that her new job is a great opportunity we are sorry to see Kathryn go. We thank her for all of her hard work at the DoM over the years and for being such a great colleague to work with. Kathryn's last day was January 7.
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Andrea Oster, Administrative Assistant, Division of General Internal Medicine has accepted a position with Physician Recruitment at Nova Scotia Health. Her last day was January 4.
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ASSISTANT CLERKSHIP DIRECTOR |
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We welcome Dr. Nicholas Forward as the new DoM Assistant Clerkship Director (effective November 2021). This position was previously held by Dr. Tallal Younis who accepted the DoM Clerkship Director position after Dr. Chris Gallivan left the DoM in March 2021. |
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Starting September 2021, we launched a feature called "Did You Know?" The purpose of this feature is to celebrate what our members do when they are not at work. It takes many unique individuals to make up a great Department and we really want to share those special stories with everyone. We welcome all members to share their accomplishments. Email: anne.veinotte@nshealth.ca with your story. |
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Siony Neale, Administrative Assistant and Artist |
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“I started my hobby (Nic Nacs by Neale) during the global pandemic to get my mind off of the current events.
Art eases my anxiety during these times. I discovered calm and purpose by creating jewellery made of resin.
During the summer, I am inspired seeing beautiful flowers and leaves. That’s why I always bring scissors whenever I walk around my neighbourhood or when I’m in my garden. I dry these flowers in the microwave and keep them in different books. I love this experience because it gives me balance. I love feeling the relief when I exercise and do my artwork at the same time."
~ Siony Neale
Siony is an Administrative Assistant in the Division of Digestive Care & Endoscopy.
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Dr. Kenneth Rockwood wins Ryman Prize |
December 15, 2021 - Dr. Kenneth Rockwood is the seventh winner of the international health prize, which recognizes the best work carried out anywhere in the world that has enhanced quality of life for older people.
The prestigious Ryman Prize, an international award worth $250,000, recognizes the best global work focused on quality of life for older people.
Dr. Rockwood’s win was announced on December 15, 2021, by the Right Honourable Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Congratulations Dr. Rockwood!
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A few of the media coverage links:
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Research NS establishes a Centre of Excellence for Healthy Aging at Cape Breton University |
To further support research targeted at improving health care for older adults, Research Nova Scotia (RNS), is collaborating with the Department of Health and Wellness and Nova Scotia Health, to fund a $700,000 research Centre of Excellence for Healthy Aging at Cape Breton University (CBU) in honour of Dr. Kenneth Rockwood.
Dr. Rockwood, the recipient of the 2021 Ryman Prize for his work on frailty and dementia, is being recognized because of his commitment to supporting the health of older adults in Cape Breton. Research Nova Scotia is contributing a total of $475,000 (of which $250,000 is from the Department of Health and Wellness), and Nova Scotia Health is contributing $200,000 through the Health Innovation Hub. Dr. Rockwood is also contributing $25,000 of the financial award that accompanied the Ryman Prize to catalyze this research program at CBU which will promote whole-patient care for people living with frailty and/or dementia.
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2022 Nova Scotia Health Quality Awards |
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The Nova Scotia Health Quality Awards are a celebration of the incredible work taking place across the organization in support of quality improvement, patient safety, patient experience and teamwork. In November, teams were invited to submit their projects to the Nova Scotia Health Quality Awards competition and all of the entries were truly amazing! Each and every team deserves recognition for their ongoing commitment and contribution to improving care within Nova Scotia Health. We are pleased to announce this year’s winners in each category and commend all teams for their excellent work and devotion to quality improvement.
~ Announcement from Gail Blackmore, Senior Director, Quality Improvement & System Performance Portfolio
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Adult Cystic Fibrosis Clinic Team wins
2022 Excellence in Patient Experience
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The Excellence in Patient Experience Award honours organizations/individuals who’ve set in place innovations that improve healthcare human experience.
Initiative: Improving patient outcomes and health care experience; Adult cystic fibrosis (CF) clinic
Summary: The Adult cystic fibrosis (CF) clinic works collaboratively to improve the patient experience of those living with CF. The CF multidisciplinary team consists of 2 Respirologists, a Nurse Coordinator, CF Dietitian, Psychologist, Physiotherapist, and Social Worker, each of which was challenged with developing a project to improve the patient experience for each patient of the CF clinic. Through this challenge, several improvements were made.
Through nursing coordination, eligible patients were given enhanced access to Trikafta; a corrector medication that improves CF health like no other medication. The clinic dietitian also coordinated a vitamin D project, a Celiac screening project, as well as a cirrhosis in CF project. Additionally, physiotherapy discovered that many CF patients struggle with urinary incontinence, an area not previously addressed by the clinic, and provided appropriate screening and referrals to a local urinary incontinence clinic. Improvements in Mental health were also made through routine screening of concerns by the clinic psychologist. Access to Trikafta medication also played a role of mental health of CF patients, as some experience improvement in their mental health, while others struggle with depression and anxiety, and loss of identity, and as they feel they have lost their identity and also have been handed a future that they do not know what to do with. Caring for patients with CF is challenging, but with a highly motivated team, improvements in the care Nova Scotia health are being provided one project at a time.
Project Team:
Meredith Chiasson
Sulaye Thakrar
Carly Nichols
Sarah Sutherland
Paul Hernandez
Nancy Morrison
Polly Watson
Kayla O’Hearn
Congratulations!
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Adult Cystic Fibrosis Program
"Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults. At present, there is no cure. CF causes various effects on the body, but mainly affects the digestive system and lungs."
Read more
medicine.dal.ca
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Dr. Colleen O'Connell wins 2021 Outstanding Healthcare Partner Award |
Recognizing Our Volunteers | Muscular Dystrophy Canada
Each year Muscular Dystrophy Canada (MDC) recognizes and celebrates the contributions of individuals and groups who champion our cause with courage, determination, passion and caring. We are so pleased to announce this year's incredible winners!
Read more
muscle.ca
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Dr. Colleen O'Connell is a Physiatrist in Fredericton, NB who holds an appointment with Dalhousie University and the Department of Medicine. |
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Land Donation from Andrew family |
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My brother and I decided to make this donation to support community, education and environmental sustainability in PEI. Hopefully this new center of excellence in watershed management, and “living lab” for their students, makes a positive contribution going forward!
Melissa Andrew
Division of Geriatric Medicine
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$2.6M land donation creates a 'living lab' for Holland...
Teachers at P.E.I.'s Holland College are excited to get to work with a land donation that will have a big impact on a number of the school's programs, says college president Sandy MacDonald. The five-hectare property, donated by John and Melissa...
Read more
www.cbc.ca
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Holiday Blanket Donation - Outcomes of Generosity! |
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I hope you had a wonderful holiday break, despite our current COVID situation. To brighten your day, I would like to share some positivity! I want to thank everyone that donated to our holiday blanket donation fundraiser. We had many very generous donations from our resident body, our administration, and our staff doctors. Our goal was to raise enough to supply a blanket and card for each patient on 8.2. Well, we almost doubled our goal! We raised almost $1,000 and supplied every patient on 8.2 and 8.1 with a cozy holiday blanket. The remaining funds were donated to Out of The Cold (OTC) Halifax for a warm holiday meal for those with insecure housing.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Please see below for some images from the day:
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A lot of wrapping was done in our resident lounge! |
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Steve Morrison (R3), myself and Lucy Eum (R1) distributing blankets |
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A holiday card for each patient. |
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To: DoM Residents
Re: Departmental Killam Scholarship
Dalhousie PGME is currently accepting applications for the Killam Scholarship. As this scholarship requires ranked departmental letters as part of the application package, please ensure that any applications are submitted to DoMResearch@nshealth.ca no later than noon on Friday, January 14, 2022, to allow time for the departmental letters to be completed prior to the Dalhousie deadline.
These scholarships were established by the late Mrs. Izaak Walton Killam, and are awarded to postgraduate students in their third, fourth or fifth year of training in one of Dalhousie Medical School's clinical departments.
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Call for Abstracts
DoM Research Week 2022 (April 19-22)
Open to all DoM Faculty, Residents, Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Research Fellows, and Research Staff
The DoM Research Committee invites you to submit an abstract for consideration for DoM Research Week 2022. Please share with your trainees and research groups as needed.
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Nova Scotia Health Research Fund (NSHRF)
- Spring 2022 Competition
Currently open for registration
Deadline: January 25, 2022 at 4pm
The Nova Scotia Health Research Fund is an internal research funding program at Nova Scotia Health that aims to build the capacity of researchers and help to catalyze new research opportunities.
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Accreditation Jeopardy
The next game is already booked with new questions, more prizes, and better way to submit your answers. Help your zone claim the trophy, tune in to the next game on
When: Feb. 4 at 12 p.m.
Where: Zoom
Meeting ID: 633 9343 2336
Password: 02134
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TO: All Members, Faculty of Medicine
RE: VOLUNTEERS for FACULTY COMMITTEES
Volunteers are being sought for future vacant positions (June 30, 2022) on the following standing committees within the Faculty of Medicine:
Faculty Council
Admissions Committee
Research Advisory Committee
Scholarships & Awards Committee
Faculty Awards Committee
Tenure-Stream Promotions & Tenure Committee
Continuing Appointment (Clinical) Promotions Committee
UGME Curriculum Committee
UGME Progress Committee
Nominating Committee
Interested faculty members are asked to submit a brief statement of interest and motivation for serving on any of these standing committees by e-mail to dean.medicine@dal.ca by Friday, February 11, 2022.
The terms of reference are available at:
If you have any questions about these committees, please contact Anne Weeden in the Dean's Office at anne.weeden@dal.ca.
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Wear Red Canada
Wear Red Canada is celebrated annually across Canada on February 13th to raise awareness about women’s heart health. Our very own Dr. Sharon Mulvagh, Cardiologist, is a key player in this initiative.
Here are some of the ways that you can participate:
1. Wear RED
3. More details to come on the February 13 webinar.
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Teach the Teacher 2022
This event will be held virtually from 12:30 to 4:15pm on Tuesday, February 22, 2022.
The theme of this year’s event is “Assessment and Feedback in the Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) Era”. Our opening speaker will be Dr. Jocelyn Lockyer. This will be followed by three different breakout sessions. These sessions will be led by Dr. Lockyer, Dr. Lori Connors, and Dr. Simon Field.
The official electronic registration will be coming soon!
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DoM Research Week
This will be a hybrid event (both virtual and in-person). See call for abstracts (above).
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DoM Quality Day
A call for submissions will be sent soon.
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6,867
active cases (estimation)
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65 people currently admitted due to COVID-19 including 5 people in ICU
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1,641,882
total completed tests
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1,887,927
Total vaccine doses administered
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90.3%
Received first dose
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83.0%
Received second dose
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Protocols at Nova Scotia Health |
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Protocols at Nova Scotia Health
Nova Scotia Health is taking a phased approach to COVID-19 health and safety measures based on risk level in each zone. Subject to change; refer to online version for latest updates.
Tier 1 – Low Risk (Blue)
Tier 2 – Moderate Risk (Yellow)
Tier 3 – High Risk (Orange)
Tier 4 – Extreme Risk (Red)
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Nova Scotia Reaches One Million Population Milestone
Nova Scotia marks a major population milestone as the province surpasses one million people, following record growth since July 2021.
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Further Provincewide Restrictions to Slow Omicron Variant
The Province is strengthening restrictions around masking, gatherings and physical distancing to protect the healthcare system and other critical workforces from the threat of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
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Changes in COVID-19 Testing and Case Management
High case numbers driven by the Omicron variant of COVID-19 are forcing changes in Nova Scotia’s approach to testing and case management.
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Public School Holiday Break Extended; Contact Tracing in Schools to Stop
The holiday break for students will be extended with students returning to class on Monday, January 10 and teachers and other school staff returning Tuesday, January 4.
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Nova Scotia Expands Eligible Age for COVID-19 Boosters
The Province has expanded eligibility for COVID-19 booster doses to include anyone 30 years of age and older.
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Restrictions Extended, Changes for Self-Isolation, Close Contacts
Nova Scotia will extend current COVID-19 restrictions until the end of January and make changes to self-isolation requirements.
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Schools Move to At-Home Learning for One Week
Students in Nova Scotia’s public schools will move to at-home learning for one week beginning Monday, January 10. Schools will remain open for students who use learning centres and will reopen to in-person learning on January 17.
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New recommendations for subsequent doses of COVID-19 vaccine following Myocarditis Pericarditis
Dr. Shelley Deeks, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health provided a special bulletin yesterday, January 10, on subsequent doses of COVID-19 vaccine following rare cases of Myocarditis and/or Pericarditis. Click here to view the full memo. |
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QUICK REFERENCE /
RECURRING CONTENT
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Nova Scotia Health / Dr. Lynn Johnston
Uploaded: March 13, 2020
Video: 10 mins
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Nova Scotia Health / Dr. Glenn Patriquin
Uploaded: April 3, 2020
Video: 3 mins
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All press briefings are listed
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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
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Nova Scotia Health - Library Services |
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COVID-19 resources for health care providers
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Canada (as of January 12, 2022)
2.6 million cases
31 K deaths
54 million tests performed
72 million vaccine doses administered
82.5% of total population fully vaccinated
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World Health Organization (WHO) |
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Globally (as of January 12, 2022)
308 million cases
5.5 million deaths
9.2 billion vaccine doses administered
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When you take care of yourself, you take care of others. |
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