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I'll start with a couple of key updates: Nova Scotia Health issued new guidance today around rapid testing. Public Health now recommends Nova Scotians swab both their throat and nose when collecting their rapid test sample. Public Health Ontario created this video guide.
There was added stress for some parents this week when a glitch in the vaccine booking system resulted in children who were 11-years-old when they received their first dose of vaccine and had turned 12 in the interim were unable to book their second dose. This issue has been fixed and you are now able to book a second dose for your child.
We've entered a new and very challenging stage of the pandemic in Nova Scotia. At first, the Omicron virus felt like it would have less impact on our province than other variants. The hospital numbers were slow to rise, and we have not been in a lockdown situation like we were this time last year.
But Omicron is having a huge impact on Nova Scotia. I heard from many of you--both for and against--when the Province and Public Health decided to send kids back to school. I believe that the best thing for most kids and their caregivers is to be in school. But schools need to be safer so that students, teachers, and families can be safe. For a start, we need priority boosters for teachers, staff, and ECEs; appropriate PPE; and school-based vaccination clinics to be part of the back-to-school plan.
Many are also wondering why, after the enormous push for self-testing before the holidays, regular testing is no longer recommended. According to Public Health, the main reason to test is to track the virus in the province. COVID-19 is now so prevalent in Nova Scotia that tracking the virus is no longer useful for informing Public Health's response. There are also fewer tests available (although we are told that more are coming), and we all know that resources need to be managed to support the most vulnerable in our community. For now, please don't hesitate to test if you are near a pop-up or are symptomatic. The testing protocols will continue to evolve and we will do our best to keep you informed.
The reality is that the healthcare system in Nova Scotia was fragile before COVID-19. Nova Scotia has a history of consistently underfunding Public Health in particular, something we have drawn attention to in the past. Our healthcare system as a whole is strained. Hospitals have postponed surgeries, paramedics are understaffed and unable to unload, dangerously increasing response times, and emergency departments across the province are closed as often as they are open.
As a result, for the time being we're being asked to do our own testing, contact tracing, and case management should we become infected. Below are guidelines on how to do so:
Testing:
Rapid testing where no screening or assessment is required and is available to all ages is still available at pop-up sites in HRM. There is currently still a clinic at Alderney Gate (the next one is tomorrow, Saturday, January 22nd from 10 - 2). Keep an eye on the schedule. You can also access at-home rapid testing instructions on that page. The COVID-19 workplace screening program is on pause.
PCR testing is available for people who have symptoms or are close contacts and are at increased risk for severe disease, live in congregate settings, or are integral to keeping our healthcare system running. If you fall into one or more of these categories, you can access a PCR test by going through the NSHA online assessment tool. If you require testing but do not meet PCR prioritization criteria, you can make an appointment to pick up a take-home rapid testing kit.
Contact Tracing:
Keep track of your movements and who you see. If you develop symptoms and/or test positive for COVID-19, reach out to your community contacts. This includes workplaces, friends, family, and anyone with whom you attended a social gathering, event, or extracurricular activity and had close contact during your infectious period. Send them this information.
The Nova Scotia Parents for Public Education have created a self-reporting system for school exposures that you can access here. Be careful with personal information, there have been issues here, but I know some parents have found it helpful.
The NSHA is no longer tracking exposure sites and locations at this time.
Managing COVID-19:
NSHA released a printable 19-day tracker to help you manage your illness and responsibilities. If you test positive for COVID-19, it’s important for you to complete the following actions:
- Self-isolate right away.
- Ask your household contacts to self-isolate right away. All household contacts (people you live with) need to follow these directions.
- Reach out to close contacts. (See contact tracing section above.)
- If you tested positive with a PCR test, expect a text message from Public Health. People with a cell phone will receive a text notification to confirm they have tested positive. Complete the Report and Support screening form. If you have a landline, you will still receive this information in a call from Public Health.
If you tested positive with a rapid test, complete the Report and Support screening form.
- Register for Public Health’s daily check-in service. A link to this service will be included in your text notification.
- You may receive a call from the COVID Community Virtual Care Team. These calls – and calls from Public Health – may show up as an unknown number. A virtual care team member will give you information and tools to help monitor and manage your symptoms at home.
- Seek medical help if your symptoms get worse by calling 811 or 911.
- If you work in a high-risk health care setting (hospitals, long-term care and retirement home congregate living settings) you must notify your employer.
More thorough details about what to do if you test positive for COVID-19 can be found on NS Health's website.
The principles of good public health practice still apply:
- Keep a distance of at least two metres/six feet from others.
- Wear a well-fitted three-layer mask.
- Wash your hands regularly.
- Stay home and get tested if you have symptoms.
Child Care
I have received dozens of emails from around Dartmouth and across the province about the new child care deal. The reaction has forced the Province to walk back the March 18th deadline for operators to make a decision and to go back to the drawing board.
This is good news. The implementation plan was too hasty and without proper communication or consultation with families, child care operators, and early childhood educators to ensure a successful transition. This is similar to the 2018 pre-Primary rollout, which the Auditor General’s report subsequently found was not adequately planned, stakeholder consultation was not sufficient, and risk assessment was not completed before the program was implemented.
Universal childcare is a good idea and an important program. Many Nova Scotian families struggle with the high costs and long waitlists for child care, and this has a huge impact on parents--especially women--when it comes to returning to the workforce. The COVID-19 pandemic has only reconfirmed that child care is foundational to our economic and social systems. It's an essential service and access must be universal.
For many years regulated child care in the province has been characterized by a shortage of options for infants and school-aged children, high parent fees, and low wages for early childhood educators. I strongly believe that we need a universal system of accessible, affordable, high-quality, non-profit child care. But in order to achieve that there needs to be a well-planned transition process developed in consultation with child care providers to ensure that centres are not forced to close and families continue to have access to care.
Eisner Cove Wetland Development
Last week the city announced plans to consider development in the Southdale area. A group of local organizers, Friends of Eisner Cove Wetland, are ringing the alarm about the development that would be built on a beloved local walking area and environmental treasure, the Eisner Cove Wetland.
We need housing density in Dartmouth, but not at the total expense of natural habitat, active transportation, and recreational spaces. The development threatens similar issues such as construction run-off contamination that Dartmouth's advocacy around our urban lakes has been working to address.
This is a municipal development and you can find more details on Sam Austin's website, but given the potential environmental impact, I will be keeping an eye on this process.
Take care and stay safe,
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