Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Online Bulletin for Health Care Providers

May 22, 2020

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

In this Issue:

  1. Local COVID-19 Update
  2. Updated COVID-19 Guidance and Information Documents
  3. COVID-19 Testing and Assessment for Community Patients
  4. Reporting of COVID-19
  5. Immunization Services to Resume
  6. Vaccines, Supplies, and STI Medication Orders During COVID-19 Pandemic
  7. Public Health Teleconference for Primary Care Professionals
  8. Increased Alcohol Use During COVID-19
  9. Wellness Webinar Opportunity

Local COVID-19 Update

Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) has had one additional case of lab confirmed COVID-19 reported in recent days, bringing our total to 43. As of this publication, there are currently no ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks in Long-term care or Retirement homes. Daily COVID-19 updates can be found on our surveillance webpage HPEPH COVID-19 Dashboard.

Updated COVID-19 Guidance and Information Documents

COVID-19 Testing and Assessment for Community Patients

  • Testing should be considered based on clinical assessment and not on the case definition.
  • Clinicians may refer patients requiring COVID-19 assessment and testing to one of four local COVID Assessment Centres (CAC) or the Paramedic COVID-19 Response Team using the online Referral for COVID-19 Assessment Form. Send your referral directly to your selected option.

Reporting of COVID-19

  • COVID-19 is a designated disease of public health significance and is thus reportable under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. Regulated health professionals must report all confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 to HPEPH, including any patients being tested for COVID-19.
  • Reports can be made via fax or email using the COVID-19 Primary Care Reporting Form (available in print or electronic version) on our COVID-19 HCP webpage, under Reporting.
  • Please ensure report form is completed in full and all requested information is included and is accurate.
  • Detailed reports are critical to ensure the timely and effective Public Health case and contact management
  • As of May 19, Public Health Ontario reports 90% of new COVID-19 cases are reached by public health officials within 24 hours of being notified
  • Locally, HPEPH is making every effort to reach ALL probable and confirmed cases, and their high- risk contacts, within 24 hours. We are pleased to report that currently our Public Health Case Investigators are meeting our target 100%.

Immunization Services to Resume 

  • HPEPH is planning to resume immunization services to our community June 1st
  • HPEPH will be adhering to Government of Canada’s interim guidance on continuity of immunization programs during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • We are strongly encouraging our local health care providers (HCP) to also resume this important intervention to reduce the risk of susceptible individuals and outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases within our communities
  • Prioritization should be for primary childhood series and booster doses for children less than two years if resources are limited

Vaccines, Supplies, and STI Medication Orders During COVID-19 Pandemic

  • Submit orders as per usual procedure using the appropriate Vaccine Order Form and including previous 4 weeks of temperature logs
  • Pick-up times MUST be pre-arranged after submitting order by calling our Vaccine Information Line 613-966-5500 x 222 or by emailing ahanes@hpeph.ca
  • Currently, we require 5 business days for local orders to be processed. Deliveries to Bancroft and Picton Health Unit may take longer than usual during this time due to staff constraints.

Mark your Calendars! Public Health Teleconference for Primary Care Professionals

  • With the success of our first “Chat with your HPEPH Acting Medical Officer of Health”, Dr. Alexa Caturay on May 20, we have decided to host another teleconference
  • Wednesday June 3rd, 11:30 – 12:00
  • Public Health Updates specifically for Family Physicians and Nurse Practitioners in Hastings and Prince Edward region
  • Topics will include local COVID-19 epidemiology and testing information
  • To join the teleconference: Dial 1-855-453-6962, Conference ID: 6292448#

Increased Alcohol Use During COVID-19 Pandemic

Many Canadians are experiencing feelings of stress and anxiety, loss of routine, and social isolation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadians aged 18-54 are reporting increased alcohol use in response to these circumstances.

Wellness Webinar Series - Online Educational Opportunity

  • University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine, is presenting: “Psychological PPE: Exploring Compassion, Fatigue and Learning How to Keep Ourselves Psychologically Well”
  • May 27 from 6:00-7:00 pm - To register go to: EENet Connect

 

HPEPH has closed our doors to the public; however, we remain dedicated in protecting our community and 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

We want to ensure this ebulletin is as useful as possible. Please send your questions, comments and suggestions to etubbs@hpeph.ca

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

Health Bulletin Editors: Emily Tubbs

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