Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health Care Providers

March 13, 2020

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

In this Issue:

  1. Local COVID-19 Update
  2. NEW Updates (Change from March 12 Update)
  3. Enhanced Public Health Measures for COVID-19
  4. Ongoing Recommendations and Requirements for Health Care Providers:

Local COVID-19 Update

A second individual in quarantine at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton has tested positive for COVID-19. All infection prevention and control protocols have been followed during the quarantine of the travellers repatriated from the Grand Princess cruise ship. The Canadian Red Cross has established a dedicated clinic at CFB Trenton, which has been monitoring the repatriated Canadians on site during the 14-day quarantine.

There have been no confirmed COVID-19 cases identified in our local community. Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) will continue to follow direction from Ontario Ministry of Health (MOH) and Public Health Agency to implement infection prevention and control strategies to minimize the spread of COVID-19 within our community.

NEW Updates (Change from March 12 Update) 

  • Case Definitions - Based on the evolving situation with COVID-19 there is no longer a PUI definition for surveillance purposes. Refer to updated Case Definitions on Ministry of Health webpage.
  • Testing Updates – Testing recommendations from the Ontario Ministry of Health were updated in a March 12 memo to prioritize testing for those at highest risk. Persons with mild symptoms and travel history should self-isolate until 24 hours symptom-free and avoid contact with persons at high risk of complications. Not everyone requires, or will receive COVID-19 testing; however, testing can be considered in persons with more severe illness and/or those meeting the existing Ontario Ministry of Health criteria (please note these are subject to change frequently):
    • Individuals admitted to hospital with acute respiratory illness
    • Health care workers with acute respiratory illness
    • Other vulnerable populations (individuals with ARI who reside in long-term care homes and retirement homes)
    • Individuals with ARI who reside in other institutions with unavoidable close contact (university and college residences and Corrections services)
    • First Nation Community members living on-reserve with acute respiratory illness
  • HCP and Health Care Entities must adopt Public Health Ontario’s Technical Brief “Updated IPAC Recommendations for use of Personal Protective Equipment for Care of Individuals with Suspect or Confirmed COVID-19”
  • HCP and Health Care Entities must adhere to the COVID-19 Directive #1 issued under the HPPA
  • Assessment Centers – Planning is underway with our acute and community care partners to implement COVID-19 assessment centers and community testing

Enhanced Public Health Measures for COVID-19

Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams, is requesting all Ontarians immediately implement enhanced infection prevention and control measures over the coming weeks to protect themselves and to limit the spread of COVID-19 in Ontario. HPEPH is requesting the following enhanced infection prevention and control strategies be immediately implemented:

  • Supporting the Ministry of Educations closure of all public schools for two weeks following March Break
  • Long-term Care and Retirement Homes - Actively screen all staff, residents and visitors within long-term care and retirement homes for any symptoms and travel history that may be related to COVID-19. Do not admit anyone with a positive screen into the facility.
  • Licensed Child Care Centers - Actively screen all children, parents, staff and visitors in child care centers for any symptoms and travel history that may be related to COVID-19. Have a low threshold for illness and remove anyone with a positive screen from the center immediately.
  • Allied Health Care Professionals (e.g. Dentists, Optometrists, Chiropractors)- Actively screen all staff and patients entering your clinic for any symptoms and travel history that may be related to COVID-19. Do not admit anyone with a positive screen into the facility.
  • Avoid all non-essential travel outside of Canada – strict self-isolations requirements upon return may be implemented if you decide to travel
  • Immediately suspend all large events and public gatherings over 250 people.

Ongoing Recommendations and Requirements for Health Care Providers

  • Refer to Ministry of Health Risk Levels and Precautions for COVID-19 chart assess a patient’s risk of exposure and advise regarding self isolation and/or self monitoring requirements.
  • Refer to Public Health’s list of global areas affected by COVID-19 with recommendations for up-to-date list of areas with evidence of local transmission.
  • Health care providers are required to immediately report all probable and confirmed cases of COVID-19 to HPEPH at 613-966-5500.
  • Health care providers, Allied Health Professionals, Daycares and Schools should ensure that COVID-19 screening protocols and signage are in place and for screening which includes expanded travel history to all affected areas. Screening signage is available on our website.
  • Health care providers are to advise patients meeting the following criteria to contact HPEPH at 613-966-5500 for direction:
    • persons returning form high risk areas (Hubei province, Iran, Italy)
    • persons with symptoms of COVID-19 and recent travel to affected areas
    • persons with close contact to a confirmed case of COVID-19 or close contact with a person with ARI and recent travel to an affected area.
  • If sending a patient to hospital, assessment center or testing facility please provide advance notice, advise the patient to avoid public transportation and supply the patient with a surgical mask to be worn in the presence of other people.

In this critical time, HPEPH is committed to providing local HCPs and our community 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.

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

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