Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health Care Providers

February 12, 2020

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

In this Issue:

  1. Updated Case Definitions
  2. NEW IPAC Guidance for COVID-19
  3. The Role of Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
  4. Requirements for Health Care Providers
  5. COVID-19 Workshop

Updated Case Definitions

The Ontario Ministry of Health (the Ministry) has released updated case definitions and case management guidelines for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) on February 7, 2020. Updated guidelines include an expanded travel history to mainland China. The updated Case Definitions can be found on the Ministry’s web page for primary care.

Please note: it is expected that the Ministry will be providing an updated case definition and set of guidelines shortly. In the interim, the following recommendations are provided by Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH).

HPEPH Recommendations:
Individuals travelling from China will receive a handout from the Federal Government when arriving at any Canadian airport, HPEPH is recommending the following guidelines for symptom monitoring and self isolation for COVID-19:

  • Full activity restriction and self isolation is required for:
    • Asymptmatic individuals returning from Hubei province, China
    • Asymptmatic individuals with known close contact to a confirmed case of COVID-19
    • Symptmatic individuals with recent travel from mainland China or with known close contact to a PUI for COVID-19
  • Symptom monitoring is required for:
    • Asymptmatic individuals with recent travel to mainland China
    • Asymptmatic 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 HPEPH immediately at 613-966-5500 for appropriate education and follow-up requirements.

  • Asymptomatic individuals with no recent travel history to mainland China and no known exposure to a PUI continue to have no activity restrictions 

NEW IPAC Guidance for COVID-19

PHAC has released Infection prevention and control for novel coronavirus (COVID-19): Interim guidance for acute healthcare settings. Where there are inconsistencies, please continue to follow the MOH COVID-19 guidelines for acute care or Guidelines for primary care providers in a community setting.

The Role of Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

HPEPH is following the lead of the Ministry, Public Health Ontario (PHO), and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) in responding to COVID-19. As this virus is so new, we are working closely with our acute care and community health care providers to ensure early detection and appropriate management of persons under investigation, suspect and probable cases of Diseases of Public Health Significance, including COVID-19. HPEPH is working with other levels of government and community agencies to support repatriation at CFB Trenton by ensuring infection control procedures are being followed, as well as assisting with activities such as receiving passengers, directing passengers to appropriate accommodation, and coordinating logistics.

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 are to advise persons with recent travel to 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

Education Opportunity:

  • COVID-19 Workshop - Planning is underway for HPEPH to offer 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. Register: 2019ncov.eventbrite.ca

Resources:

Current information on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus is also available through the Ministry at 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 Editor: 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.