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COVID-19 Health Care Provider Briefing Middlesex and London Region September 15, 2020
Welcome Presenter: Dr. Alex Summers Associate Medical Officer of Health Middlesex-London Health Unit @alexsummers4
Surveillance Report As of September 14 th , 2020: • Over 29.3 million COVID-19 cases and over 929,000 deaths have been reported worldwide. • 46,905 cases of this illness confirmed in Ontario, including 2,865 deaths • Local:
Cases by Reported Date Data source : MLHU COVID-19 Case and Contact Management System, extracted 2020-09-15 at 08:30 EDT. Data current as of the end of day 2020-09-14
Cases by Onset Date Data source : MLHU COVID-19 Case and Contact Management System, extracted 2020-09-15 at 08:30 EDT. Data current as of the end of day 2020-09-14 Note : Illness that began in the period denoted by the grey bars may not yet be reported.
Western University Outbreak • On Sunday, Sept 13 MLHU declared a community COVID-19 outbreak after three Western University students tested positive; no exposure was identified on campus • Additional cases have been identified • Anyone who may have frequented downtown clubs, bars and restaurants are asked to monitor themselves for symptoms and to get tested should they develop • Western University has a mobile testing unit available for students and employees Monday to Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students can also pre-schedule in-person appointments with Student Health Care
Wastewater positive for COVID-19 • In July, the MLHU began participating in a pilot project with the City of London to test local wastewater for genetic evidence of COVID-19 • A sample collected on September 6th is the first to contain the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 • Could be useful in helping determine if COVID-19 cases are increasing in the community • Monitoring efforts will continue in order to gather more information to further assess the potential benefits of this project for the community
Updated Provincial Resources • Reopening Retirement Homes • Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario, • Directive #3 for Long-Term Care Homes
School-specific Provincial Screening Tool
Ordering Swabs • Healthcare Materials Management Services (HMMS) will be assuming the ordering and delivery of COVID-19 swabs to all Non-HMMS affiliated organizations (long-term care and retirement homes) in Erie St. Clair and the South West LHINs.
Influenza • The Health Unit acknowledges that this year’s Influenza season comes with some uncertainties and anxieties. The Health Unit will provide updates as they become available. – The Ministry of Health has not yet stated when the 2020/2021 influenza vaccine(s) will be available. – As in past years, the first shipments of the influenza vaccine were reserved for specific high-risk populations, followed by vaccines for the general public. It is anticipated this year will be similar, and that the first shipments of influenza vaccine to HCP offices may occur in mid-October. – HCP offices are asked to not schedule appointments for influenza vaccination until they are able to order the vaccine from the Health Unit.
Influenza • The influenza vaccine will be available at participating pharmacies across London and Middlesex-Counties; however, the administration of influenza vaccine will primarily be the role of primary care providers • MLHU’s immunization clinic at our Citi Plaza and Strathroy offices will continue for those who cannot receive their vaccine elsewhere (i.e. no Ontario Health Card).
School • As school resumes in Ontario, there is ongoing community spread of COVID-19 in Middlesex-London and consistent daily case counts among all age groups • At this time, COVID-19 must be considered as a potential diagnosis for anyone presenting with symptoms of acute respiratory infection, regardless of their travel or contact history
School • Healthcare Provider Role in Recommending Testing for COVID-19: – Healthcare providers are likely to be consulted to determine whether a symptomatic child needs to be tested for COVID-19. – Determination is based on the provider’s clinical judgment; there are no validated clinical tools available to differentiate COVID-19 from other illnesses – Diagnosis of another infection such as AOM, streptococcal pharyngitis or influenza does not exclude co-infection with COVID-19
School • The Health Unit recommends: • Student with COVID-19 compatible symptoms and no known alternative diagnosis undergo testing prior to returning to school • Providers have a low threshold for recommending testing for patients with symptoms consistent with COVID-19
School • Asymptomatic persons, such as classmates, who are identified as high-risk contacts will be notified by the Health Unit and advised to go for testing and to quarantine
School • Healthcare Provider Role in Assisting with Responses to Daily Self-Assessment Screens: – Children attending school are required to undergo a daily screening assessment questionnaire that asks about symptoms of COVID-19
Medical Notes • Recommended that healthcare providers avoid providing notes or statements attesting to a clinical assessment that COVID-19 has been “ruled out” as a cause of symptoms • Medical notes or proof of negative tests are not required for staff or students to return to school following an illness or a high-risk contact
Education/Resources • PHO will be hosting a repeat of the webinar entitled: The 2020-21 Influenza Season - Hope for the best, plan for the worst on September 22 nd . • Workplace Safety and Prevention Services has worked with the Ontario Ministry of Health to create sector- specific resources including a document describing the different types of masks. • For details on the COVID-19 specifications of products please see the Government of Canada’s website.
MLHU Info and Contact • Weekly webinars held on Tuesdays at 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. • Please send your questions to healthcareproviders@mlhu.on.ca • Monday to Sunday, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. – Hotline model – Call 519-663-5317 • www.healthunit.com
Questions? Ask using chat function now, or after the webinar at: healthcareproviders@mlhu.on.ca
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