Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health Care Providers

August 6, 2020

From:
Dr. Alexa Caturay
Acting Medical Officer of Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

In this Issue:

1. New Diseases of Public Health Significance (DOPHS) Reporting Form
2. Free PPE Available to Community-Based Family Physicians
3. Long-term Care & Retirement Home COVID-19 Swab Courier Service Update
4. Updated Ministry Guidance on Testing and Clearance
5. Supporting a Safe Return to School
6. Public Health Teleconference for Primary Care Professionals
7. Save the Date: Influenza Information Session for Healthcare Providers

New Diseases of Public Health Significance (DOPHS) Reporting Form

Diseases of Public Health Significance (DOPHS) must be reported by physicians, laboratories, administrators of hospitals, schools, and institutions to the local Medical Officer of Health (as stated in the Health Protection and Promotion Act). HPEPH has updated our reporting forms to include COVID-19. Reports can be submitted by either completing our Online DOPHS Reporting Form or printing the paper DOPHS Reporting Form and faxing the completed form to 613-966-1813.

Free PPE Available to Community-Based Family Physicians

A recent communication from the Ontario College of Family Physicians states “Community-based family physicians are now eligible to receive PPE at no cost through the province’s pandemic supply. You can submit PPE requests without the expectation that you first attempt to source PPE through your regular supply chain.” Physicians in the HPE region can submit requests through Remedy, Ontario Health’s PPE request platform by following the “How-To Complete Remedy Intake instructions”. For further information, please consult the Ministry’s FAQ document.

NOTE: If you currently have a reliable source of PPE that is meeting your needs, the Ministry is advising that you should continue to use your current arrangement.

Long-term Care & Retirement Home COVID-19 Swab Courier Service Update

Effective Friday August 28, 2020 HPEPH will no longer be providing courier service for transporting COVID-19 swabs at our Belleville office 179 North Park Street location. Many facilities have already initiated alternate processes in regard to sending your COVID-19 NP swabs, however if your home has not, please check in with your usual courier service. In the event of an outbreak at your facility, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health will manage your outbreak and facilitate transportation of swabs to Kingston Public Health Lab. Swab orders can still be placed with us (pick up at the front entrance of HPEPH 179 North Park Street Belleville instead of the back pass-through lab door). If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to your HPEPH Communicable Disease/Outbreak lead.

Updated Ministry Guidance on Testing and Clearance

On July 29, 2020 the Ministry released an updated version of the COVID-19 Quick Reference Public Health Guidance on Testing and Clearance (v.9.0). Changes to the document include updated recommendations for Health Care Workers returning to work and an updated section on recommendations for return to work in non-health care settings.

Supporting a Safe Return to School

In response the announcement by Ontario Premier, Doug Ford and the Minister of Education, Stephen Leece, on the resumption on in-class instruction in September, HPEPH and KFL&A Public Health have been working together with school boards throughout the summer to plan enhanced processes and safety measures to support various return to school options. Details about these processes are being finalized in order to align with the recent provincial announcement. Additional information will be shared with parents, students, and staff in the coming weeks to help everyone prepare for changes in the school environment. For more information, please see HPEPH’s Media Release: Local Public Health and School Boards Working Together to Support Safe Return to School.

Public Health Teleconference for Primary Care Professionals

Dr. Alexa Caturay, Acting Medical Officer of Health, will be holding another teleconference for Primary Care Professionals on Wednesday August 19, 11:30 am – 12:00 pm. These teleconferences provide Public Health Updates specifically for Family Physicians and Nurse Practitioners in Hastings and Prince Edward region.

To join the teleconference: Dial 1-855-453-6962, Conference ID: 6292448#

You are welcome to send us your questions in advance using this survey or ask us live on the day of teleconference. Thank you in advance for your participation and feedback.

Save the Date: Influenza Information Session for Healthcare Providers

Mark it in your calendars - HPEPH’s annual influenza information session will be held on September 30, 2020. Stay tuned for more information in upcoming memos!

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HPEPH is gradually reopening to the public and is presently offering services by appointment only. We remain dedicated to protecting our community by providing local HCPs and community members with new information as it becomes available. Current information on COVID-19 specifically for health care providers can be found at hpePublicHealth.ca, Ontario Ministry of Health and at publichealthontario.ca.

Back to Summary

Contact Information: 

To give us your comments: kkhani@hpeph.ca

To report communicable diseases:613-966-5500 x349

To report AEFI or DOPHS: Online / Fax - 613-966-1813 or CDCFAX1@hpeph.ca

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