Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health Care Providers

February 10, 2021

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

In this Issue:

1. COVID-19 Variants of Concern (VOCs)
2. PHAC Webinar - Emerging Issues on COVID-19 Vaccines

COVID-19 Variants of Concern (VOCs)

There are currently three notable VOCs circulating amongst the global population that have evidence to show increased transmissibility when compared to the original COVID-19 virus. At this time, there is confirmed presence of VOCs in multiple Ontario public health units and ongoing community transmission in parts of southern Ontario. The province has implemented a six-point plan to combat the spread of VOCs, including the following actions:

1. “Mandatory on-arrival testing of international travellers
2. Enhanced screening and sequencing to identify the new variants
3. Maintaining public health measures to keep people safe
4. Strengthening case and contact management to track the spread of new cases
5. Enhanced protections for vulnerable populations
6. Leveraging the latest data to inform public health decisions”

(Ontario Takes Immediate Action to Stop the Spread of COVID-19 Variants, Jan. 29, 2021)

In addition to this plan, Public Health Ontario has issued COVID-19 Variant of Concern Interim Guidance to public health units (PHUs) to aid in case and contact management for affected individuals. Highlights of the recommended changes to ALL case and contact management processes include:

• Apply a lower threshold of exposure to identify contacts as high risk of exposure:
• Any cumulative 15 minutes duration of exposure spent <2 m apart (regardless of mask use by case and/or contact). The exception includes an exposed health care worker with appropriate mask and eye protection, and/or other personal protective equipment appropriate to the care provided.
• For high risk exposure contacts, recommend testing as soon as feasible, and again on or after day 10 of isolation.
• Screen all cases for possible VOC infection (see SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 Virus) Variant of Concern (VoC) Surveillance for screening parameters)

For cases who screen positive for possible VOC infection:

• If potential source cases for the VOC case are identified, attempt to submit their positive specimen for further testing by following COVID-19 Variants of Concern Test Information Sheet.

Prioritize case management of cases/contacts and obtaining and reporting case details for VOC cases.

PHAC Webinar for Health Care Providers

Emerging Issues on COVID-19 Vaccines, including:

• Allergies and Anaphylaxis following administration of COVID-19 vaccines, presentation with live Q&A
• Low Dead Volume Syringes, live Q&A panel

Hosted by the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCCID), this moderated webinar is for health care providers who are administering COVID-19 vaccines.

English Session - February 10, 2021 - 1pm-3:00pm EST

Speaker: Dr. Bryna Warshawsky and Dr. Catherine Dickson, Public Health Agency of Canada; and guest experts

To Register: Click here

French Session - February 12, 2021 - 1pm-3:00pm EST

Speaker: Dr. Joseline Zafack and Dr. Catherine Dickson, Public Health Agency of Canada; and guest experts

To register: Click here

For any registration difficulties, please contact NCCID: nccid@umanitoba.ca

Previous Public Health Agency of Canada COVID-19 vaccine webinars for health care providers can be found at Canada.ca.

Back to Summary

Contact Information: 

To give us your comments: etubbs@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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