Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health Care Providers

February 19, 2020

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

In this Issue:

  1. Updated Case Definitions
  2. Guidance Documents
  3. Activity Restrictions/Monitoring Based on Risk Level
  4. Requirements for Health Care Providers
  5. Upcoming Education Opportunities

Updated Case Definitions​​​​​​

The Ontario Ministry of Health (the Ministry) updated COVID-19 case definitions on February 7, 2020. Updated definitions include expanded travel history to mainland China. Current case definitions, as well as all additional guidance documents linked below, can be found on the Ministry’s web page for health care workers.

Guidance Documents​​​​​​

The Ministry has updated and released the following Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance documents (as of Feb 14, 2020):

Activity Restrictions/Monitoring Based on Risk Level​​​​​​ 

  • Full activity restriction and self isolation is required for:
    • Asymptomatic individuals returning from Hubei province, China
    • Asymptomatic individuals with known close contact to a confirmed case of COVID-19
    • Symptomatic individuals with recent travel from mainland China or with known close contact to a PUI for COVID-19
  • Self monitoring of symptoms is required for:
    • Asymptomatic individuals with recent travel to mainland China
    • Asymptomatic individuals with known or potential close contact with a PUI

IMPORTANT - Any individuals that meet criteria for self isolation, or those who develop symptoms, are to contact Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) immediately at 613-966-5500 for appropriate education and follow-up requirements.

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/or signage, are updated to reflect changes to case definition with expanded travel history mainland China
  • Health care providers are to advise persons with recent travel to mainland China, or known or suspected contact with a PUI, to contact HPEPH at 613-966-5500.
  • If sending a person to hospital for acute care 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 and testing of persons 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).

NEW: Testing of persons under investigation for COVID-19 no longer requires approval from Public Health Laboratory. Appropriate requisition forms can be accessed on the Public Health Ontario website – publichealthontario.ca

Upcoming Education Opportunities

  • COVID-19 Workshop - HPEPH is offering a health care provider workshop on February 19, 2020 focusing on COVID-19 science and surveillance information and Infection Control Practices in all health care settings. Please register by noon today: 2019ncov.eventbrite.ca
  • Tuberculosis (TB) Workshop for Physicians & Nurses - HPEPH will host a health care provider workshop on March 11, 2020 with a focus on TB Skin Testing, Epidemiology, Management of Latent and Active TB, and screening of Latent and Active TB cases: To register, please visit tbworkshop.eventbrite.ca

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: Kamran Khani

You have received this email at kamran.khani@hpeph.cafrom 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.