Coronavirus Information - COLLEGE OF HOMEOPATHS OF ONTARIO

COLLEGE OF HOMEOPATHS OF ONTARIO

Download the CHO COVID-19 Question and Answer Resource Tool for Registrants

UPDATED  Chief Medical Officer of Health Directive #2 for Health Care Providers

New and Important Guidance from the Ministry of Health on Ongoing Care

The Ministry of Health has provide an updated COVID-19 Guidance: Primary Care Providers in a Community Setting. PLEASE FOLLOW THE STEPS IN THIS GUIDANCE DOCUMENT.

It is important that you continue to provide care to your patients, however, it is CRITICAL that you move to remote practice only unless it is a time-sensitive circumstance. If you must see a patient in person, use all precautions, pre-screen patients before they come to your office, place the available signs on the door of your clinic, and take all other infection control precautions for your patients, staff and yourself.

Available Resources on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus
Updated March 31, 2020

The College would like members to be aware of the following:

Information about the virus and outbreak are changing on a day-to-day basis. Please use the provided links and visit the Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario or the World Health Organization for daily updates. CHO will notify registrants when new resources and information of critical importance become available.

Status of Cases in Ontario
The Ontario Ministry of Health updates its website once a day, every day, seven days a week, at 10:30 a.m. ET. You will find the most up-to-date information on the status of cases in Ontario. Please check the Ministry site directly for the latest status report.

The symptoms of the 2019 novel coronavirus, which can include fever and cough, are similar to other respiratory infections, including influenza. As a result, individuals who may simply have the flu are being tested out of an abundance of caution and in line with Ontario’s robust detection protocols. This means that most individuals who are tested are unlikely to be infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus.

At this time, the Public Health Agency of Canada has assessed the public health risk associated with COVID19 as LOW for the general population in Canada but this could change rapidly.

There is an increased risk of more severe outcomes for Canadians:aged 65 and over with compromised immune systems with underlying medical conditions. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) characterized the Coronavirus COVID19 a pandemic. Every person is asked to take extra precautions to minimize the spread of the disease.

Currently the hardest hit affected areas include the following geographic areas: China (mainland), Hong Kong, Iran, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and some parts of Europe including Italy, Germany and Spain. As of the date of this bulletin some of these countries have travel advisories. Click the link to see the list of travel advisories related to the 2019 novel coronavirus and other diseases.

Advice from the Ontario Ministry of Health

Travellers returning from affected areas
Travellers who have returned from Hubei province (China) or Iran, where returning travellers are advised to self-isolate should:
* contact their local public health unit within 24 hours of arriving in Canada
* stay at home and avoid close contact with others, including those in their home, for a total of 14 days from the date they left Hubei province (China) or Iran
* contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or their local public health unit if they experience symptoms of the 2019 novel coronavirus

Travellers who have returned from areas under a travel health advisory for COVID-19 should:
* monitor themselves for symptoms of the 2019 novel coronavirus for 14 days after leaving the affected area
*  contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or their local public health unit if they experience symptoms of the 2019 novel coronavirus

Advice from Public Health Canada
It is important for all travellers to:
* self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough or difficulty breathing) for 14 days after returning to Canada
*  avoid places where you cannot easily separate yourself from others if you become ill If you have even mild symptoms
*  stay home and call the public health authority. In Ontario, contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 or the local public health unit. They will provide advice on what you should do.

For specific Canada-wide guidance and outbreak update related to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) please visit Public Health Agency of Canada.

Regardless of the risk rate the public and health-care providers are encouraged to be vigilant to be on the lookout for suspected cases and do their part to contain the potential spread of the virus.

More information about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and the situation in Ontario visit the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of Health has established a Health Care Provider Hotline at 1-866-212-2272. If you have any questions or concerns about how the Coronavirus might impact your practice please feel free to contact this hotline.

RESOURCES NOW AVAILABLE

Additional Reputable Sources of Information
Ontario Ministry of Health
NEW  Update on COVID-19 Preparations and Actions
Ontario Public Health Unit Contact Information
Public Health Ontario
Hand Hygiene includes videos, guidelines and best practices and signs
Daily Scan on latest news and information on NCov
Cleaning and Disinfection for Public Settings - COVID-19
How to Self-Monitor Factsheet
How to self-isolate - COVID-19 Factsheet
Self-isolation: Guide for caregivers, household members and close contacts - COVID-19 - Factsheet
Removal of Face Protection including instructional videos
Public Health Agency of Canada
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Travel advice

World Health Organization
Global Situation Reports
General Questions and Answers about Coronavirus
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) technical guidance: Infection prevention and control / WASH (Document)
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Video Series)

Government of Canada
Travel Advisories
Community-based measures to mitigate the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Canada
Risk-informed decision-making for mass gatherings during COVID-19 global outbreak

Resources for Registrants
Primary Care Guidance v3 2020-03-20 from Ministry of Health (English)
Primary Care Guidance v2 2020-01-31 from Ministry of Health (French)
UPDATED  Case Definition for Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), March 13, 2020 (English)
UPDATED  Case Definition for Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), March 13, 2020 (French)
MOH Health Care Providers Resource Page

For Posting in Clinic
How to Self-Monitor (English)
How to Self-Monitor (French)

Patient Information Sheets
English French Urdu Punjabi Hindi
Other languages available here.

At-a-Glance Risk Levels (English)
At-a-Glance Risk Levels (French)
Patient Sign (English)
Patient Sign (French)
Visitor Sign (English)
Visitor Sign (French)

Clinical Tools
OMA Coronavirus Summary of Primary Care Guidelines v1-01-20

Updated IPAC Recommendations for Use of Personal Protective Equipment for Care of Individuals with Suspect or Confirmed COVID-19

Best Practices for Prevention of Transmission of Acute Respiratory Infection In All Health Care Settings Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC)

Routine Practices and Additional Precautions In All Health Care Settings, 3rd Edition Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC)

Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette in Healthcare Settings WHO Technical Guidance

CHO Professional Practice Guideline for Infection Control

Resources for Patients
Cover Your Cough Poster
Handwashing Poster

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