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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
Posted: March 16, 2020
Publié le 16 March 2020
Updated July 30, 2021
Check this page often. As the pandemic evolves, we will update it regularly with information relevant to dietitians.
Consult with your employer for organizational protocol regarding COVID-19 and refer to the Ministry resources and links below for the most updated information.
New
- The online self-assessment tool has been updated, including guidance for individuals who are fully vaccinated.
April 28, 2021
Click here to see the Important New Provincial Orders for dietitians in hospitals and long-term care/retirement homes.
July 9, 2021
Ontario Moves to Step Three of Roadmap to Reopen on July 16
The Ontario government has moved the province into Step Three of its Roadmap to Reopen as of 12:01 a.m. on Friday July 16, 2021. There are no changes in dietetic practice. A summary of restrictions can be found on the province’s “Reopening Ontario” webpage, which provides details on public health measures in place as the province enters Step Three of the Roadmap to Reopen.
Emergency orders currently in effect under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act have been extended until July 28, 2021 and include:
O.Reg. 305/21 Regulated Health Professionals
O.Reg. 304/21 Work Redeployment for Independent Health Facilities revoked June 16, 2021.
O.Reg 271/21 Work Redeployment for Local Health Integration Networks and Ontario Health revoked June 30, 2021
What this means for dietitians
- The revocation of Directive #2 approves the resumption of non-urgent and non-emergent surgeries and procedures. Dietitians can continue to deliver their health care services consistent with current guidelines for regulated health professionals found on the Ministry of Health website.
- Together with their organizations, dietitians are in the best position to determine which services can continue to be offered virtually, and which services can safely resume in-person. Dietitians should continue to follow the Ministry’s Operational Requirements.
- Dietitians are reminded to remain vigilant and continue conducting point-of-care risk assessments to determine what appropriate personal protective equipment and infection, prevention, and control processes are required to ensure client safety in their practice. Guidance on virtual visits remains unchanged.
- If you have any questions, please contact our Practice team at practice.advisor@collegeofdietitians.org or 1-800-668-4990 ext 397
Ministry of Health and Ministry of Long-Term Care
Updated documents:
- Point-of-Care Testing Use Case Guidance March 23, 2021
- Appendix 9: Management of Individuals with Point-of-Care Results Updated May 21, 2021
- Phase-2: Prioritization for COVID-19 Vaccination March 23, 2021
- Considerations for Antigen Point-of-Care Testing updated June 3, 2021
- Guidance for Prioritizing Health Care Workers for COVID-19 Vaccination updated March 17, 2021
- Provincial Testing Guidance updated May 21, 2021
- COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces (Customer screening) Updated July 16, 2021
- COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces (Worker and employee screening) Updated July 16, 2021
- Quick Reference Public Health Guidance on Testing and Clearance updated June 9, 2021
- Guidance: Considerations for Privately Initiated Testing updated May 21, 2021
- COVID-19 Directive #5: Questions and Answers updated February 19, 2021
- COVID-19 Variant of Concern: Case, Contact and Outbreak Management Interim Guidance February 26, 2021
- COVID-19 Signage Questions for Businesses and Organizations Updated July 16, 2021
- Appendix 8: Cases with Positive COVID-19 Serology Results and Management of Cases with Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Temporally Associated with COVID-19 updated February 18, 2021
- Ontario Deploys Rapid Testing to Support COVID-19 Response. November 25, 2020
- Updated Case Definition updated May 21, 2021
- Guidance Hospice Care November 12, 2020
- Guidance: Primary Care Providers in a Community Setting November 9, 2020
College Resources
Ministry of Long-Term Care
LTC/RH: INFORMATION FOR DIETITIANS
If you are an RD employed in LTC/RH please see Emergency Orders relevant to Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes, and the Chief Medical Officer of Health Directive #3. See the News Release May 3rd for details. Reach us anytime at 416-598-1725 , Ext. 397or at practiceadvisor@collegeofdietitians.org
Pandemic Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Transitional Support
Are you a dietitian working in community or primary care who is having trouble sourcing PPE?
Review the Ministry resources below for recent policy changes regarding transitional access to the provincial pandemic PPE stockpile which expands support to eligible community-based health service and primary care providers. The resources provide direction on how eligible health care providers can access transitional PPE support, including frequently asked questions.
Questions? Please contact the Practice Advisory Service at
practice.advisor@collegeofdietitians.org,
416-598-1725 , ext. 397.
Return to Non-Essential Virtual and In-Person Care with Conditions
The return to non-essential care for both virtual and in-person care is intended to be gradual and with stringent conditions in place to mitigate the spread of disease. You must adjust your practice according to
Directive 2 and the Ministry’s
COVID-19 Operational Requirements: Health Sector Restart, which specify:
- Wherever feasible, client visits must be conducted virtually. Dietitians are urged to use professional judgement in determining which clients can be treated virtually and, if not feasible, which could be seen in-person.
- You must have in place strict protocols, as required, around feasibility and risk assessments, infection prevention and control, hazard controls, screening, personal protective equipment, and client scheduling to ensure physical distancing and safe care.
- Decisions about client visits must be in keeping with the principles set out in Directive #2: Proportionality; Minimizing Harm to Patients; Equity; and Reciprocity.
Adhere to Ministry and College Guidance
Please read these carefully.
Infection Control
Webinar : COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control for Regulated Health Professionals June 25, 2020
Other Infection Control Information
Important College Links
Ministry of Health, Long-Term Care — Emergency Management
Directives
Guidance & Action Plans
Testing Guidance
Long-Term Care/Retirment Homes Guidance and Policy
Other Guidance
- Operational Requirements for Health Sector Restart June 15, 2020
- Acute Care Guidance June 15, 2020
- Guidance: Primary Care Providers in a Community Setting November 9, 2020
- Guidance for Home and Community Care Providers Updated May 21, 2021
- IPAC Recommendations for Use of Personal Protective Equipment for Care of Individuals with Suspect or Confirmed COVID‑19 Updated May 2021
- Guidance: Essential Workplaces May 2, 2020
- Restaurant and food services health and safety during COVID-19
- Ontario Increasing Mental Health Support During COVID-19
- Memo: Supporting Expansion of Virtual Home Care Delivery (includes dietitians)
- Memo from David Williams, MD, MHSc, FRCPS, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Public Health
Emergency Orders
Grant Applications
Webinars & eLearning
See Tips on how to deal with personal information when working from home at
https://www.ipc.on.ca/newsrelease/ipc-closure-during-covid-19-outbreak/
Public Health Ontario
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19
Contact Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-00001-866-797-0000 or your local public health unit.
Government of Canada