February 6, 2020 COVID-19 report
Dear RNAO member,
Good Thursday everyone!
Here is your daily update from RNAO. It includes here the situational report #13 dated Feb. 06, 2020, which we received this evening from the Ministry of Health’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) about the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).
Worldwide, the virus has infected 28,285 others and killed 565 people, mainly in China. Authorities in China have restricted travel to contain the outbreak.
The number of confirmed cases reported to us today by the EOC, in Canada, remains as 5; three of these in Ontario and two in BC. All are recovering at home in self-isolation. At this time, there are 62 persons under investigation with lab results pending. See here a very important and informative document about the public health management of cases and contacts of novel corona virus (2019-nCoV) in Ontario.
Also see here an excellent Q&A re- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Supply, Distribution and Stewardship. The later is a vitally important role for nurses and all health professionals to play. Know that your needs are being attended to, for supplies - including N95 masks, according to risk assessment needs. We ask that they be used judiciously. Health care providers -- in particular acute care settings and paramedic services -- facing immediate challenges with their personal protective equipment supply levels can email the ministry at EOCLogistics.MOH@ontario.ca.
The federal government is repatriating 211 Canadian citizens from Wuhan, expected to arrive shortly. They will arrive at CFB Trenton and will immediately be quarantined for 14 days, says Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. David Williams, so they will not impose any risk to the general population. Public health officials have worked closely with the health professionals on the flight -- four nurses and two physicians -- as well as those deployed to CFB Trenton. They are also coordinating with hospitals in the region, as if there is a need, persons will be transferred to one depending on their medical condition.
RNAO wants to continue to hear from you and your teams should you be experiencing any challenges – please send your emails directly to me at dgrinspun@rnao.ca. You can also access the health provider hotline and website regarding questions about the outbreak, protocols, preparedness, and more. The toll free number is 1-866-212-2272, and the health provider website, updated regularly with useful resources, can be accessed here. An important reminder that the health provider website and the toll free number are for you – as a health professional – and not for members of the general public.
The ministry’s public website on the novel coronavirus exists to inform the general public – encourage your family and friends to know about this public website. We also have information for the public on our website at www.rnao.ca which we update daily.
Once again, RNAO wants to express its appreciation and respect to Government and Public Health Officials for the outstanding work and responsiveness to our questions and recommendations.
To the Canadian citizens repatriated from Wuhan, we wish you a safe flight and welcome you to Canada soon!
To all our nursing colleagues – You are the very BEST!!!!!!!!!
Doris Grinspun, RN,MSN, PhD, LLD(hon), Dr(hc), FAAN, O.ONT
Chief Executive Officer / RNAO