Home News 2020 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

Posted: September 9, 2020

Publié le 9 September 2020

Check this page often. As the pandemic evolves, we will update it regularly.

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

Ministry of Long-Term Care - Visiting FAQs

Reopening Retirement Homes Effective: September 15, 2020
Directive #3 for Long-Term Care Homes.Updated September 9, 2020
COVID-19 Visiting Policy FAQs - Effective September 9,, 2020
Resuming Visits in Long-Term Care Homes Effective September 9

Ministry of Health

Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario September 8, 2020
Guidance: Primary Care Providers in a Community Setting September 4, 2020

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.

Emergency Orders Extended to September 22, 2020

New legislation, Reopening Ontario (A Flexible Response to COVID-19) Act, 2020, came into effect July 24, 2020. It continues orders made under sections 7.0.2 and 7.1 of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, 2020. The orders have been extended to September 22, 2020. See extension details here.

No Changes for Dietitians

There are no changes with respect to the orders that impact dietitians. We will continue to monitor and provide updates accordingly. Please contact the Practice Advisory Service if you have any questions at practice.advisor@collegeofdietitians.orgor 416-598-1725, Ext. 397, 1-866-668-4990.

If you are an RD employed in LTC/RH, you can work in-person at one site, with any additional sites being virtual.Please see Emergency Orders relevant to Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes, and the Chief Medical Officer of Health revised Directive #3. See the News Release for details. Reach out anytime at 416-598-1725, Ext. 397 or at practiceadvisor@collegeofdietitians.org

Continue 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.