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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 14th, 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
• utbreak 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

• rdering 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

• ccur 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

• f 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
• ngoing 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 22nd.

• 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