No images? Click here MEDICAL ADVISORY: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update #6Issued by: Dr. Andrea Feller, MD, MS, FAAP, FACPM, Associate Medical Officer of Health As new questions arise throughout this fluid and rapidly evolving pandemic, we will be posting them on our health care professional’s webpage. I have a patient with respiratory symptoms who travelled but not to an impacted country, what should I do with this patient?
I have a patient who is asymptomatic, no travel history, but they had contact with someone who travelled. What should I do with this patient? Public Health Ontario is not currently recommending routine testing of asymptomatic persons for COVID-19. Did you know there is a new billing code for telephone COVID-19 assessments? Ontario has also approved new physician billing codes for telephone assessments, enabling doctors to conduct more assessments over the phone rather than in their clinic. We do not have any further information at this time and we do not know if it can be delegated. Do all patients tested for COVID-19 need to be self-isolated for 14 days? Yes. If patient is positive for COVID19, they must self-isolate for 14 days from their last exposure to an affected area until receipt of two negative results, 24 hours apart. Yes. If patient is negative for COVID-19 then the patient remains in self-isolation until the patient receives a phone call from Public Health that their results for COVID-19 are negative. Self-isolation may need to continue even when results are negative based on the level of risk of their exposure. What is the test for COVID-19?
What personal protective equipment do I need to test for COVID-19? Droplet/Contact precautions:
What is the turnaround time on testing for emergency rooms vs. primary care?
Can I send people for testing other than the hospital emergency room? Preparations for testing sites are underway for the near future. Public Health is working closely with Health system partners. Do I need to collect a separate swab for COVID-19 and influenza? Influenza testing is reserved for sentinel physicians, hospitals and long-term care homes. Do I need to notify Niagara Region Public Health and Emergency Services when I test someone for COVID-19? Yes. COVID-19 is a disease of public health significance and it is reportable to Public Health. Notify Public Health immediately of your testing so we can follow up with your patient to review self-isolation guidelines Primary Care Providers only are requested to call 905-688-8248 extension 7554 or toll-free 1-888-505-6074. What is required by the health care professional to test for COVID-19? The health care professional will need:
If I test someone for COVID-19, do I need to keep the room empty for two hours? No. Dr. Michelle Murti from Public Health Ontario stated, “there is no airborne transmission of the COVID-19 virus and therefore no need to apply the two-hour clearance generally recommended for measles.” How do I clean my clinic room if I have tested someone for COVID-19?
For more detailed information on cleaning and disinfection refer to the:
Is Niagara Region Public Health Department testing for COVID-19? No. At this time, we are sending all inquiries to the hospital or health care professionals willing and able to do the testing. Signage Please remove old signs and replace with the poster included below. Colour copies are available for order or download at niagararegion.ca/health/professionals. Additional Resources
Further Information The Infectious Disease program can be reached at 1-888-505-6074 or 905-688-8248 ext. 7330 Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4: 30 p.m., after hours 905-984-3690. As information is evolving daily, please refer to Infectious Disease Information for Health Professionals. |