Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health Care Providers

September 13, 2021

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

In this Issue:

1. Updates to Ontario Ministry of Health COVID-19 Case and Contact Management Guidelines
2. Updates to Federal Travel Guidelines for Health Care Workers
3. Updated COVID-19 Reference Document for Symptoms
4. Updated Screening and Self-Assessment Tools
5. Educational Session: Promoting Resiliency in Children, Youth and Families in Primary Care
6. New Resource: Summary of Infection Prevention and Control Key Principles for Clinical Office Practice
7. New and Updated COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Vaccine News & Updates

Updates to Ontario Ministry of Health COVID-19 Case and Contact Management Guidelines

The Case and Contact Management Guidelines were updated on August 11, 2021 and are currently being used to guide HPEPH case and contact management practices. 

Key Information:

• The length of the self-isolation/self-monitoring period for COVID-19 contacts has been changed from 14 days to 10 days.
• Symptomatic individuals who are exhibiting gastrointestinal symptoms and test negative for COVID-19, cannot end their self-isolation until their symptoms have been improving for at least 48 hours (extended from 24 hours).
• Asymptomatic previously positive* and fully vaccinated** individuals are not required to self-isolate following a high-risk exposure unless they become symptomatic. It is still recommended that these individuals seek COVID-19 testing immediately, and 7 days following their exposure.

*A previously positive case is defined as a confirmed case of COVID-19 where their initial positive result was ≤ 90 days ago and they have been cleared from their initial infection.

**An individual is considered to be fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving their 2nd dose of vaccine.

Updates to Federal Travel Guidelines for Health Care Workers

As per updated Federal Guidelines, as of August 9, 2021 fully immunized health care workers who have recently traveled are no longer restricted from caring for patients aged 65 and older during the 14 day period that begins on the day they enter Canada.

Note: This guidance is for fully vaccinated individuals only. The guidance does not apply to those who have not been vaccinated again COVID-19, have partially completed a vaccine series or are within 14 days from their second dose.

Updated COVID-19 Reference Document for Symptoms

The reference document outlines the current symptoms, signs, and clinical features that have been most commonly associated with COVID-19 as of August 26, 2021.

“The most common symptoms of COVID-19 that require immediate self-isolation and COVID-19 testing include:

• fever (temperature of 37.8°C/100.0°F or greater) and/or chills
• cough (that is new or worsening (e.g. continuous, more than usual if chronic cough) including croup (barking cough, making a whistling noise when breathing)
  • Not related to other known causes or conditions for which current symptoms do not represent a flare-up/exacerbation related to infection (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• shortness of breath (dyspnea, out of breath, unable to breathe deeply, wheeze, that is worse than usual if chronically short of breath
  • Not related to other known causes or conditions (e.g., chronic heart failure, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
• new olfactory or taste disorder (decrease or loss of smell or taste)
  • Not related to other known causes or conditions (e.g., nasal polyps, allergies, neurological disorders)”

Updated Screening and Self-Assessment Tools

The Ministry of Health has updated the COVID-19 screening and self-assessment tools to reflect the changes to the symptom reference document, the guidance for fully vaccinated individuals and the new 10- day self-isolation/self-monitoring period. Please update your screening information and signage for staff and patients to reflect the updated guidance.

The following tools have all been updated:

• COVID-19 Patient Screen Guidance
• Signage for Screening Patients
• Signage for Screening Visitors
• Self-Assessment Tool
• School and Child Care Screening Tool
• Customer Screening Tool
• Worker and Employee Screening Tool
• Screening for Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes
• COVID-19 Signage Questions for Businesses and Organizations
• HPEPH STOP Entrance Signage for Businesses and Organizations

Professional Development Opportunities

Educational Session: Promoting Resiliency in Children, Youth and Families in Primary Care

Free educational session offered by the ECHO Project, that addresses the increased stress, anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic and how to support children, youth and family resiliency.

The session takes place on September 30th, 2021 from 12:00pm-1:00pm with presenter, Dr. Michael Cheng, MD, FRCPC.

New Resource: Summary of Infection Prevention and Control Key Principles for Clinical Office Practice

Public Health Ontario recently published a summary document for clinical office settings that complied the Infection Prevention and Control best practices and relevant resources for clinical office settings resuming or expanding in person care.

COVID-19 Resources & Guidance Document Updates

New and Updated COVID-19 Resources

• Guidance for Employers Managing Workers with Symptoms within 48 Hours of COVID-19 Immunization
• COVID-19 Quick Reference Public Health Guidance on Testing and Clearance
• Point-of-Care Testing Use Case Guidance
• Considerations for Antigen Point-of-Care Testing
• Appendix 9: Management of Individuals with Point-of-Care Results
• Appendix 11: High Risk Contact Flowchart (new document)
• COVID-19 Guidance: School Case, Contact, and Outbreak Management
• COVID-19: Health, Safety and Operational Guidance for Schools 2021-22

Back to Summary

Contact Information: 

To give us your comments: hart.sara@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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