No images? Click here In This Issue - February 2021
Physicians' CornerThis month's hot topic for the Physicians' Corner is COVID-19 vaccines! In this month's broadcast, Dr. Hirji answers your questions about
View the video HERE or click on the video image below. Send in your questions and topic suggestions for future sessions. Don't forget, up to date information can be found on our FAQs for health care professionals or call our COVID-19 Health Care Professionals information line at 905-688-8248, press 7 then press 1. Note: Having trouble viewing the video? Right click on the header at the top of the email and select "download pictures" or view the email in your web browser (click top right of email). UPDATE: COVID-19 Variants of ConcernMinistry of Health Interim Guidance on COVID-19 Variants of Concern
For ALL cases and contacts:
Household members of someone quarantining as a contact of a case should stay home except for essential reasons while that person is self-isolating. Essential reasons include: attending work/school/childcare and essential errands such as groceries, attending medical appointments, or picking up prescriptions. More Information
UPDATE: The Youth Vaping EpidemicVaping has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, with rates of youth vaping doubling from 11 per cent to 23 per cent in the last three years among youth in grades 7-12, according to CAMH’s most recent Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey, released last year. Similar trends can be seen in Niagara. Past year use of e-cigarettes significantly increases with grade level. In Niagara, 8.6% of youth in grades 7 and 8 vaped in the past year; this this increased to 50.2% if you look specifically at youth in grades 11 and 12. Youth vaping increases when a youth is part of a social group that vapes, and if they are seeking ways to manage stress A new study from CAMH has found some reasons why quitting e-cigarettes may be uniquely difficult:
How healthcare providers can help patients quit vaping: Although there are no current evidence-based methods to quit vaping, many experts in the field have been using strategies that are similar to tobacco cessation to help their clients quit vaping.
Additional Resources
For more information, please call Niagara Region Public Health’s Tobacco Hotline at 1-905-688-8248 ext. 7393. UPDATE: Let's Be Social!Getting timely information from trusted sources has never been more important. With a variety of social media accounts, Niagara Region Public Health is making it easier than ever for you to stay connected and informed. If you haven’t yet, we encourage you to follow us on LinkedIn. Here you’ll find details on Public Health programs, services, upcoming CME events and more. It’s also a great way to get to know our staff and engage with us as well as the greater Niagara community. We also encourage you to follow us on Twitter and Instagram, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel. REVIEW: Respiratory SurveillanceSurveillance Update: Influenza Activity Low
For more detail or the most recent data, please visit Public Health Ontario’s page for the Ontario Respiratory Pathogen Bulletin. REVIEW: Emerging Issues on COVID-19 Vaccines On Wednesday, Feb. 10 The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) hosted a webinar for Health Care Providers who are administering the COVID-19 vaccines. The webinar described allergy-related contraindications or precautions to COVID-19 vaccination and the features and management of anaphylaxis following administration of COVID-19 vaccines. If you missed it, you can now watch the recording here. REVIEW: Centre for Effective Practice Questions about COVID-19 Vaccines? The Centre for Effective Practice has resources that can help! The Centre for Effective Practice (CEP) is a not-for-profit organization with no industry funding. COVID-19 Vaccine Information
MEDICAL ADVISORIES & MEMOS
Not yet subscribed? Receive medical advisories and memos electronically from Niagara Region Public Health - subscribe here. |