News

COVID-19 Update from the AFN Health Director | March 19, 2020

Published: March 19 2020 14:23

March 19, 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE # 3 (March 19, 2020)

Please see below the most up-to date information regarding COVID-19; COVID-19 testing data
Nova Scotia is testing for COVID-19. Updated 19 March 2020.

 

Confirmed Positive 5
Presumptive Cases 9

 

* Confirmed cases are those confirmed by the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg.
** Presumptive cases are those found to have a presumptive positive result from the QEII Health Sciences Centre’s Microbiology Lab and have been sent to the National Microbiology Lab and are awaiting confirmation.

Acadia First Nation Health Centres will be closed as of Thursday, March 19, 2020. Dr. Marais will still be operating his practice under his regular business hours to see his practice patients who ARE NOT experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 in the Yarmouth Health Centre.
Please do NOT enter the Health Centre if you are exhibiting symptoms. If you are unsure of what to do, call Pam and she will advise how to proceed (902)742-7598.

Notices and Closures

  • Long-term care facilities are closed to all visitors.
  • Public schools will be closed for two weeks following March Break (weeks of March 23 and March 30).
  • All licensed childcare providers are required to close (through April 3 inclusive).
  • March Break camps are cancelled.
  • Casinos in Halifax and Sydney are closed and bar owners can no longer operate VLTs.
  • Employers cannot require a doctor’s note if an employee must be off work.
  • All service providers funded through the Department of Community Services’ Disability Support Program, including social enterprises, day programs, and supported employment programs for adults with diverse abilities are closed.
  • Effectively immediately, there are to be no gatherings of more than 50 people.

Organizations and businesses are required to practise social distancing of two metres (6 feet).

As of Thursday, 19 March:

• restaurants are restricted to take-out and delivery orders only. They can’t open for in-person dining.
• all drinking establishments, winery and distillery tasting rooms and craft taprooms must close (private liquor stores can operate, and craft breweries, wineries, and distilleries can still sell their products from their storefronts).
• personal services, such as hair salons, barber shops, spas, nail salons, and body art establishments must close.
• all fitness establishments, such as gyms, must close.
Nova Scotia Health Authority and IWK Health Centre
Nova Scotia Health Authority has restricted visitors and is suspending some elective and non-urgent appointments and services to contain the spread of COVID-19 and conserve resources. Read more on the NSHA website.
IWK Health Centre has restricted visitors and is suspending all non-urgent appointments and services. Urgent and emergency appointments and services are continuing. Read more on the IWK website.
Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Nation Cancer Care Strategy.
- All chemotherapy/radiation treatments will continue, unless told otherwise by the patient's oncology team.
- All other appointments will be moved to telehealth, when possible.
- Cancer screening appointments (i.e., CAT scans, PET scans, etc.) will now be made on a case-by-case basis. If you are a Mi’kmaw cancer patient, and have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact any of us:
- Aaron Prosper: ; Phone #: 902-322-3240
- Chelsea Googoo: ; Phone #: 782-777-0095
- Dylan Letendre: ; Phone #: 782-777-0104
- Karlee Francis: ; Phone #: 782-777-0097

NADACA

Kolby Blair(NADACA prevention worker) will be working from home until further notice.If you need to reach her during business hours (8am-5pm, Monday-Friday) you can text/call 902-815-6010.
Please note the NS mental health crises line is available 24/7 Toll Free1-888-429-8167.
As always, you are encouraged to:
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use hand sanitizer; avoid hand shakes; wash your hands before and after preparing food; wash hands after handling waste
• Cough or sneeze into your inner elbow or a tissue (throw tissue away)
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Wash and sanitize surfaces like taps, doorknobs, light switches, toilets, and countertops daily
• Sanitize remote controls, cell phones, phones, and other hand-held devices
• Avoid close contact – stay 6 feet apart (2 meters); avoid crowds; shop during off-peak hours

Please feel free to contact myself at anytime with questions and/or concerns you may have around COVID-19 and how to keep yourself and loved ones safe. Watch for regualr updates from myself which will be posted to our AFN website as this situation is rapidly changing,

 

Marla Robinson-Pyne
Health Director Acadia First Nation
Cell Phone: (902)740-7089

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