Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health Care Providers

February 27, 2020

From:
Dr. Piotr Oglaza
Medical Officer of Health & CEO
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

In this Issue:

  1. Updated COVID-19 Case Definitions 
  2. COVID-19 Requirements for Health Care Providers

Updated COVID-19 Case Definitions 

The Ontario Ministry of Health (The Ministry) updated COVID-19 case definitions on February 26, 2020. Updated definitions include expanded travel history to any impacted area. Impacted areas include all countries/areas with a Government of Canada Travel Advisory for COVID-19. As of February 26, this includes China, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. Current Case Definitions  are available at hpePublicHealth.ca and will be available on the Ministry’s web page for health care workers.

Requirements for Health Care Providers

  • Health care providers are required to immediately report all persons under investigation, probable and confirmed cases of COVID-19 to HPEPH at 613-966-5500.
  • Health Care Providers should ensure that COVID-19 screening protocols and signage are updated to reflect changes to case definitions with expanded travel history to impacted areas.
  • Individuals from an impacted area, or with contact to a person under investigation (PUI), may meet criteria for activity restrictions, self isolation and/or symptom monitoring. Contact HPEPH at 613-966-5500 x 349 for questions.
  • If sending a PUI to hospital for assessment, please notify the hospital in advance, and supply the patient with a surgical mask to be worn in the presence of other people.
  • Clinical examination/testing for COVID-19 should only be completed in a setting such as acute care where providers can safely implement airborne precautions (in addition to droplet and contact).

Our Commitment to Local Health Care Providers

In this critical time, HPEPH is committed to providing local Health Care Providers and our community with new information as it becomes available. Current information about COVID-19 is also available through Ontario.ca/coronavirus, at publichealthontario.ca, and at hpePublicHealth.ca.

For more information, please contact the HPEPH Infectious and Communicable Diseases Intake Line 613-966-5500 x 349.

Back to Summary

Contact Information: 

To give us your comments: socialmedia@hpeph.ca

To report communicable diseases:613-966-5500 x349

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

Health Bulletin Editors: Emily Tubbs

You have received this email at kkhani@hpeph.ca from Hastings Prince Edward Public Health as a result of a request you have made or due to a service/subscription that you are registered for. While you may discontinue your subscription to this mailing at any time by pressing the unsubscribe button below, please note that this bulletin will be used to provide important updates about infectious and communicable disease.