COVID-19 Update from the AFN Health Director | March 26, 2020

Published: March 26 2020 10:53

March 26, 2020

Health Director Update #6

As of March 25, 2020, there are 68 cases of Covid-19 in NS. The cases are spread throughout NS and range in men and women from their late teens to mid seventies.

Dr. Robert Strang, the province's chief public health officer, said although there has been no community spread in Nova Scotia, he expects it will happen soon.

Nova Scotia Cancer Care Program and the Nova Scotia Breast Screening Program update by Aaron Prosper;

COVID-19 Resource Webpage for Cancer Patients: http://www.nshealth.ca/cancer-and-coronavirus-covid-19

COLON SCREENING PROGRAM:
Temporarily suspending the Colon Cancer Prevention Program (no current timeline on when this will be restarted)

As we focus our healthcare efforts on managing the COVID 19 pandemic, we are suspending our Colon Cancer Prevention Program until further notice. This means:

• Home screening kits will not be mailed out.
• Home screening kits already at the lab and those that are already in the mail will be processed and the results will be mailed to participants.
• Participants who test positive for trace amounts of blood in stool will not be screened / scheduled for a colonoscopy until the screening program has restarted, but screening nurses will contact them to answer questions/ease their concerns.
• All screening colonoscopies, which are currently booked will be cancelled until further notice.
• NSHA is contacting scheduled patients and clients directly to notify them of cancellations.
• Nova Scotians who have received, but have not yet done the home screening test are being advised to wait until the screening program resumes operations.

PAP TESTING:

PAP tests are performed by primary care providers. It is recommended that all regular PAP testing be suspended, and only conducted on a case-by-case basis when needed. Official communication around this from the Cancer Care Program should be expected by this week or next.

BREAST CANCER SCREENING/MAMMOGRAPHY:

All breast screening exams in the province have been cancelled since March 18th, this includes the Breast Screening Mobile service. It is unknown at this time how long this service will be suspended, and it is anticipated that some scheduled community rotations of the mobile bus will be cancelled.
Diagnostic mammography is still continuing in a limited capacity for urgent requests so if someone is symptomatic they can still access care if it is required.

Our Mental Health services provided by NSHA are still being offered via telephone.

Eskasoni FN has offer the services of the Eskasoni Crisis and referral line services. These services can be offered in Mikmaw and English.
Eskasoni CRISIS AND REFERRAL SERVICES
TOLL FREE 1-855-379-2099

Acadia First Nation Health Centres are closed. 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.

Not everyone who has concerns about COVID-19 needs to call 811. To find out if you need to call, use the COVID-19 online self-assessment.

As always, continue with Proper hygiene which will reduce the risk of infection or spreading infection to others:

• wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the washroom and when preparing food
  • use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
• when coughing or sneezing:
  • cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand
  • dispose of any tissues you have used as soon as possible in a lined waste basket and wash your hands afterwards
• avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

Marla Robinson-Pyne
Health Director Acadia First Nation
Phone: (902)742-0257

Chief Deborah Robinson AFN COVID-19 Public Address

Published: March 25 2020 15:16

Below is a Public Statement By Chief Deborah Robinson To Members of Acadia First Nation

A Letter from Emera and Nova Scotia Power

Published: March 23 2020 17:42

A Letter To Our Customers -March 23 2020

Emera-NSP Media Release March 23 2020

Update from Acadia FN Housing

Published: March 23 2020 12:32

AFN Housing Update

In an attempt to follow all emergency measures laid out by the Nova Scotia Health Authority, the Acadia First Nation housing department will not be attending community homes to complete maintenance except for the Emergency items identified below:

1. Sewer and Septic issues
2. Major Water leaks (Leaks that can’t be contained with a bucket or other container)
3. No heat in the house (only if you have no backup source like wood stove)
4. No drinking water or hot water

If a representative of housing is called to your home, the social distancing rule must be followed and you must remain more than six feet away from the housing representative at all times. It is also important that you have the area clear where the problem is located and work must be completed. . You should also sanitize doorknobs and the area before the worker comes and after they leave.

Water Systems
If your house has a water system
- Salt will be dropped off at your door only; it is your responsibility to make sure salt is kept in the machine to keep it operating. If you need help putting salt in your system please contact a family member if you can.

When the call comes in Housing will assess the situation and determine if it is an emergency or not.

It is the right of all housing department representatives attending your home to ask pertinent questions on your health to ensure that they can attend your home and perform the required maintenance while ensuring their own personal safety. Acadia First Nation housing department will do as much as possible to ensure your required maintenance is kept up while ensuring the safety to all involved. Your patience during this time is appreciated.

If you require any assistance please reach out to your local Council member or call (902) 742-2163.

Jim Pictou
Housing Director
Acadia First Nation

COVID-19 Update from the AFN Health Director | March 23, 2020

Published: March 23 2020 10:44

March 23, 2020

Health Director Update #5

As of March 22, 2020, there are 28 cases of Covid-19 in NS. The cases are spread throughout NS and range in men and women from their late teens to mid seventies.
Dr. Robert Strang, the province's chief public health officer, said although there has been no community spread in Nova Scotia, he expects it will happen soon. As of Sunday’s, update, more than 2,100 people in the province had been tested for COVID-19.

As many of you know the Premier of NS has declared a ‘state of emergency’. His message was clear. We, as a community, must ensure that we continue to follow the directives of the Nova Scotia Public Health Authority.

The government extended authority to create and enforce guidelines when necessary. Law enforcement will now have the authority to fine people who gather in groups of larger than five and/or who are not following social distancing protocols. Individuals will face a fine of $1000 and business $7500.

Protocols relating to travel were also updated. Effective yesterday, anyone traveling into the province must self-isolate for 14 days. This is an expansion of the directive that anyone returning from international travel must self-isolate. Related to travel, the border between Canada and the United States has been closed to all non-essential travel as well as provincial borders being tightened.
All provincial parks are closed. Visitors will be considered trespassers and their vehicles can be towed.
Dental offices have been ordered to close unless a medical emergency is determined.
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.

Our Mental Health services provided by NSHA are still being offered via telephone.

 Eskasoni FN has offer the services of the Eskasoni Crisis and referral line services. These services can be offered in Mikmaw and English.
Eskasoni CRISIS AND REFERRAL SERVICES
TOLL FREE 1-855-379-2099

Acadia First Nation Health Centres are closed. 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.
Not everyone who has concerns about COVID-19 needs to call 811. To find out if you need to call, use the COVID-19 online self-assessment.
As always, continue with Proper hygiene which will reduce the risk of infection or spreading infection to others:

• wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the washroom and when preparing food
  • use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
• when coughing or sneezing:
  • cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand
  • dispose of any tissues you have used as soon as possible in a lined waste basket and wash your hands afterwards
• avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

Marla Robinson-Pyne
Health Director Acadia First Nation
Phone: (902)742-0257

COVID-19 Update from the AFN Health Director | March 20, 2020

Published: March 20 2020 10:23

March 20, 2020

COVID-19 UPDATE # 4 (March 20, 2020)
NIHB UPDATE

The NIHB program is continuing to provide benefits and services while following public health guidance and recommendations from health professionals as the situation evolves.
The NIHB Drug Exception Centre, Dental Predetermination Centre and regional call centres continue to operate and receive calls from providers and clients. Please note that wait times may be longer than usual, and we appreciate your patience.
The NIHB program normally covers up to a 100-day supply of chronic medications. In determining the quantity to refill for clients, pharmacists will consider advice from professional associations and regulatory bodies, as well as patient-specific factors. If a client is seeking an early refill (before 2/3 of their medications are used), the pharmacist may submit the claim with an over-ride code, and NIHB will reimburse. However, it is the pharmacist’s decision to provide early or longer refills.
NIHB clients are encouraged to consult with their health or benefit service provider to confirm whether routine, non-urgent appointments should be postponed.
Dental professional organizations across Canada have advised that non-emergency services should be postponed. Call your dental provider’s office to see if any scheduled dental appointments have been cancelled.
You may contact your mental health service provider to confirm whether they can provide counselling services via telephone (tele-mental health services by eligible providers are covered by the NIHB program).
NIHB is continuing to support clients who need medical transportation benefits to access urgent or essential medical services. Vulnerable clients will be supported by prioritizing private modes of transport. Additional guidance has also been provided to support external service providers (such as boarding homes and airlines) for infection prevention/control.
As the situation evolves, information will be provided through NIHB call centres and posted online.

As the situation evolves, we will share any further updates or changes to NIHB operations with you. Thank you for your cooperation and patience during this challenging time.

Non-Insured Health Benefits
Atlantic Region
1-800-565-3294 /

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