News
COVID-19 Visitation and Warning Signs
- Published: March 17 2020 09:08
Below are some files which you can download and print to help with COVID-19 awareness and safe practices
Self Isolation STOP sign:
Safe Practices STOP sign:
No Visitors STOP sign:
Regarding COVID-19 Assessment Centres
- Published: March 12 2020 20:31
Please visit the below link to find information regarding the recently established COVID-19 Assessment Centres.
COVID-19 Information and Updates | March 11, 2020
- Published: March 11 2020 11:16
Coronavirus – Update #7
March 10, 2020
NSHA has opened initial COVID-19 assessment centres across the province
HALIFAX, N.S. – Nova Scotia Health Authority has opened COVID-19 assessment centres across the province. These assessment centres will further support efforts to identify and contain COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Nova Scotia where, to date, no cases have been confirmed.
The dedicated assessment centres are intended to help lessen current pressures in emergency departments, while also decreasing the possibility of transmission among the public.
“We expedited opening these COVID-19 assessment centres to respond to increased assessment demand as a result of the change in national screening protocols,” said Dr. Todd Hatchette, Chief of Microbiology, Nova Scotia Health Authority.
The change in national screening protocols means that anyone who has travelled outside Canada may have come in contact with the novel coronavirus and should closely monitor their health for 14 days after returning to the country. Travellers who start to feel unwell should stay at home/self-isolate from the public.
Nova Scotians who have travelled out of country and who develop a fever with a temperature of 38°C or higher, and/or cough, should call 811.
811 will provide direction on what to do next. If there is a need for in-person assessment, 811 will refer to a COVID-19 assessment centre.
Please do not go to a COVID-19 assessment centre without having been referred by 811. We are working to be able to book specific appointment times in the coming days.
Those directed to an assessment centre by 811 will then have a physical assessment on site and based on that a swab will be taken for patients for whom it is appropriate.
In the event a person requires more urgent care, 811 will provide advice on accessing emergency departments.
“We want Nova Scotians to be able to access the right care, in the right setting, at the right times,” said Dr. Hatchette. ““The resources of our health system are already strained by the seasonal flu and other demands. These COVID-19 assessment centres are another measure that will focus our work on testing those who most require it and to also help lessen the pressure on the rest of our system. We ask for the public’s patience and cooperation as we respond to this quickly evolving situation.”
NSHA will continue to monitor this evolving situation and will respond in step with Department of Health and Wellness and other health system partners.
The initial locations are at:
- Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney
- Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville
- South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater
- Yarmouth Regional Hospital, Yarmouth
- Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro
- East Side Collaborative Practice, New Glasgow
- Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre, Amherst
- Cobequid Community Health Centre, Lower Sackville
Additional assessment centres will open in the coming days. Updates will be available at www.nshealth.ca/coronavirus.
811 will have up to date information and will provide current information to those needing access to a centre for assessment.
Update: From The AFN Health Director | COVID-19 Information
- Published: March 11 2020 11:05
The AFN Health Director would like to provide the below information to our members. The below PDF's will help you and your families be prepared for COVID-19.
COVID-19 Fact Sheets for Families and Individuals (English)
COVID-19 Fact Sheets for Families and Individuals (French)
COVID-19 Fact Sheets for Businesses (English)
COVID-19 Fact Sheets for Businesses (French)
COVID-19 Information and Updates
- Published: March 04 2020 15:52
March 3, 2020
CDC Coordinator, First Nations and Inuit Health Branch Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)/Government of Canada
The Public Health Agency of Canada is actively monitoring the situation regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Public health authorities across Canada — at all levels of government — are working together to adapt our response to this rapidly changing situation. In Canada, and around the world, researchers are actively investigating all aspects of the novel coronavirus outbreak to further understand this disease and how the outbreak may progress.
A Special Advisory Committee of Canada’s Chief Medical Officers of Health is in place to respond to COVID-19. This Committee will focus its attention on coordination of federal, provincial and territorial preparedness and response across Canada’s health sector. While the large majority of the cases are in mainland China, with most of these occurring in Hubei province, this virus has now been detected in a number of countries around the world. It is prudent that we prepare for the possibility that the virus could spread further.
The risk of spread of this virus within Canada remains low at this time. However, we should plan for all possible scenarios and base our response on evidence as the science of the novel coronavirus continues to emerge.
There are however a number of things that we can all do to stay healthy and prevent the spread of respiratory infections.
- washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
- avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands;
- avoiding close contact with people who are sick;
- coughing or sneezing into your sleeve and not your hands; and
- staying home if you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others.
As part of community preparedness and response, it is important to note that Acadia First Nation Community Emergency Measures Planning Team is reviewing and updating (last updated on, March 03, 2020) our Health Emergency Plans.
The following sources have the latest and most up-to-date information on COVID-19
- www.Canada.ca\coronavirus
- Government of Nova Scotia https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/
- ISC Coronavirus and First Nation website https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1581964230816/1581964277298
- ISC Diseases that affect First Nations website https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1569867927914/1569867958318
- toll-free phone line (1-833-784-4397) available from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. AST.
For more information on how you can prepare for a potential outbreak and way to keep safe and healthy, please use the link provided below to visit the Government of Canada's recommendations.
From The AFN Health Director | COVID-19 Information
- Published: March 04 2020 14:06
With the spread of the recently identified COVID-19 virus, we would like to provide you with the below link from the Government of Canada.