Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health Care Providers

August 17, 2020

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

In this Issue:

  1. Digital COVID-19 Resources for Clients
  2. Updated Ministry of Health Guidance Documents
  3. Reminder: Public Health Teleconference for Primary Care Professionals

Digital COVID-19 Resources for Clients

COVID Alert

Patients seeking health care often have questions regarding how they can protect themselves from COVID-19. In addition to following physical distancing, masking and hand hygiene recommendations, patients are encouraged to download the national COVID Alert application. This app “is built with a privacy-first approach, safe and easy-to-use tool that gives people who test positive for COVID-19 the option of alerting all other app users who have been in close contact with them and provides quick access to public health advice and resources.” (Ontario Ministry of Health, 2020). COVID Alert can be downloaded free at the following locations:

Viewing COVID-19 Testing Results
Please encourage your patients to access their COVID-19 testing results via Ontario’s COVID-19 webpage.

For more information on COVID-19 testing for patients, please visit our Getting Tested for COVID-19 webpage.

Updated Ministry of Health Guidance Documents

The Ontario Ministry of Health has recently released several updated Guidance Documents including:

  1. Quick Reference Guidance on Testing and Clearance was updated to include indications for serologic testing, guidance on managing asymptomatic contacts of confirmed cases, and the addition of Schools under Guidance for Priority Populations.
  2. COVID-19 Case Definition now includes cases confirmed through serology testing.
  3. COVID-19 Reference Document for Symptoms has updated descriptions of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children (MIS-C).
  4. Appendix 8: Serology Testing and MIS-C provides updated reporting requirements for positive serology tests.

The updated COVID-19 Guidance Documents and further COVID-19 information can be found on our COVID-19 Resources for Health Care Providers page.

Reminder: 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.

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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.

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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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