Covid-19 Update 70

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Current situation

As of today, May 27, one new cases of COVID-19 was identified, bringing Nova Scotia’s total to 1,053 confirmed cases. These cases range in age from under 10 to over 90. Seven individuals are currently in hospital, three of those in ICU, and 975 individuals have recovered. There have been 38,441 negative test results. Testing numbers are updated daily at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus.

Cases have been identified in all parts of the province. Read full news release. A map and graphic presentation of the case data is available at https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/data.

The province also announced that effective June 5, most businesses required to close under the public health order can reopen. Businesses must follow protocols in the plan that is tailored to their sector. This includes following public health protocols to ensure physical distancing, increased cleaning and other protective measures for staff and customers. View details.

Premier Stephen MacNeil also announced an investment of $230 million to improve infrastructure and help get the economy moving again. The stimulus spending will be directed toward more than 200 infrastructure projects across the province. Read more.

[Service-Reintroduction-Update]

NSHA resumption of normal parking operations and fees on Monday, June 1

On Monday, June 1, NSHA and IWK Health Centre are resuming normal parking operations and fees at all sites across the province for staff, physicians and the public. As the Province begins to ease COVID-19 restrictions and with the gradual reintroduction of our services, we believe it is an appropriate time to make this change in order to accommodate increased demand for patient parking. We appreciate this may mean a change in routine for staff and physicians who have been parking on site or parking in our public parking lots for the last two months, and want to give time for people to plan accordingly. Monthly parking fees will recommence for the month of June. Staff who pay for parking via payroll deductions will see their first deduction on the June 18 pay statement. Read more.

Latest News

Authentic Seacoast Distilling Co. provides hand sanitizer to NSHA

When Authentic Seacoast began operations on the historic Guysborough waterfront 15 years ago, they never imagined that providing hand sanitizer to health facilities operated by NSHA would become part of their operations. In the early days of the pandemic, it became apparent that hand sanitizer was one of the key items needed to effectively respond to public safety, and availability was quickly diminishing. Recognizing the urgency and a need for a reliable, local source that could offer support and assistance, owner Glynn Williams mobilized his Authentic Seacoast Distillery team to rise to the challenge. With the infrastructure in place to produce hand sanitizer at scale, he selected the recommended formula of World Health Organization (WHO), which contains 80 per cent ethanol, the active ingredient in fighting germs and bacteria, and began production. Read more. 

Pictured: Leona Purcell, centre, Manager of Guysborough Memorial Hospital and Eastern Memorial Hospital (EMH) was recently given a tour of the facility by Glynn Williams, left, Owner of Authentic Seacoast Distilling Co., and John Stapleton, General Manager of Authentic Seacoast Distilling Co.

REMINDER: NSHA’s Mental Health and Addictions program is here to help

We continue to deliver a continuum of mental health and addictions services including outpatient, crisis and inpatient care to meet people’s needs. We are committed to service excellence - with patient, staff and physician safety being the top priority.  You can self-refer to our Community Mental Health and Addictions clinics, Withdrawal Management Services, or Opioid Replacement and Treatment Program, using the Mental Health and Addictions Intake Service. Call (toll-free) 1-855-922-1122, to be connected to a clinician weekdays 8:30 to 4:30*. *This line has voicemail only evenings, weekends, and holidays. The provincial Mental Health Crisis Line is available 24/7 for an individual or someone concerned about them, (toll-free) 1-888-429-8167.  Please visit our service reintroduction page: http://www.nshealth.ca/service-reintroduction-notices/mental-health-and-....

Advanced Zoom for Healthcare training

Are you a healthcare provider who has been using Zoom for Healthcare and are now ready to learn more about how some features can be used to better support your clinical work? IM/IT Virtual Care and Business Productivity Services are offering advanced features training for waiting room, breakout rooms, polls, whiteboard, screen sharing and more.

To attend a one-hour session, just click on the Skype for Business link below on either June 2, 16 or 30 at 12 p.m.

Internal NSHA:  Join Skype Meeting

External NSHA:   Skype Web App

Today’s Healthcare Hero feature offer – Tax return service

The deadline to submit your tax returns, June 1, is just around the corner. If you haven’t done so already, you can get your tax returns done for a flat fee of $65 as part of the Helping Healthcare Heroes initiative. To learn more, visit https://helpinghealthcareheroes.ca and view the first offer under General Services.   

    

New/Updated guidance documents and resources

Guidelines/reference documents

  • Nova Scotia Guidance – Public Health Measures of Cases/Contacts Associated with COVID-19 (updated – May 27, 2020)
  • Visitor Restrictions Guidelines for Staff (updated – May 27, 2020)

Resources

  • Frequently Asked Questions COVID-19 Public Health Swabbing and NSHA COVID-19 Risk Assessment (new – May 27, 2020)
  • How to Self-Isolate for 14 Days Handout (updated – May 27, 2020)

COVID-19 Assessment Centres information

  • COVID-19 Assessment Chart – Primary Assessment Centre (updated – May 27, 2020)
  • Referral to Assessment Centres – Fax Sheet (updated – May 27, 2020)