SHEET HARBOUR: Eastern Shore Memorial Hospital and Harborview Lodge long term care facility in Sheet Harbour are among healthcare facilities closed to patient visitors as directed by Nova Scotia Health Authority. With the arrival of Covid-19 in Nova Scotia, visitors are banned 聽until further notice.
鈥淣SHA鈥檚 incident management team has been planning for the probable arrival of Covid-19 in Nova Scotia for several weeks,鈥� states Carla Adams, Sr Advisor, Media Relations, Nova Scotia Health Authority.聽
鈥淭he planning has been provincial in scope,鈥� says Adams in an email interview with The Journal. 鈥淲e are already taking precautions to prevent the spread of any respiratory illness including Covid-19. We have also set up Covid-19 assessment centres at several NSHA sites to divert potentially ill patients from their primary care providers or emergency departments,鈥� explains Adams. 鈥淭hese sites are being monitored and updated regularly.鈥�
People are not to go to the assessment centre with out a referral. Persons who have travelled outside Canada and who may have contracted the virus are being asked to monitor their health for 14 days after their return home. If symptoms of cough and fever present, they are asked to stay home, self isolate and call 811 to receive direction for appropriate action. People directed to an assessment centre will receive a physical assessment on site.聽
鈥淗alifax Regional Municipality has closed all HRM facilities including libraries and recreation centres. The Nova Scotia provincial government is asking that any function be no more than 50 people at a time,鈥� says HRM Councillor David Hendsbee.
The messaging continues to be the best way to prevent the spread of any virus is hand washing and proper hygiene. Residents are encouraged to avoid contact with persons who are sick and to practice safe cough and sneeze etiquette.聽
The Public Health Agency of Canada recommends residents refrain from travel on cruise ships because of close quarters and how quickly the virus can spread between people.聽
The Nova Scotia Health Care System website says the Province continues to monitor potential cases of novel coronavirus. NSHA 聽has established a patient screening process for use by the front-line health care workers and are sharing accurate and up-to-date information with Nova Scotians.聽
On March 4 a decision was made by Nova Scotia Centres of Education to cancel all student school trips with international destinations. This included March break trips and is in effect until April 30. The decisions reached were in consultation with Dr Robert Strang, Nova Scotia Chief Medical Officer of Health. This approach was taken to create low risk for both students and their chaperones.聽
Janice Christie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Guysborough Journal
