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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

Posted: March 16, 2020

Publié le 16 March 2020

Updated May 6, 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

Click here to see the Important New Provincial Orders for dietitians in hospitals and long-term care/retirement homes

Stay-at-Home Order

A province-wide declaration of emergency and a stay-at-home order are in effect as of April 8 at 12:01 a.m. The COVID-19 Response Framework (colour-coded zones) is paused during this time. Find out about the public health measures and restrictions during this time.

Guidance Long-Term Care Homes/Retirement Homes for Public Heath Units May 5, 2021
Directive #3 for Long – Term Care Homes under the Long – Term Care Homes Act, 2007 updated May 4, 2021
COVID-19 Directive #2: Questions & Answers , updated April 30, 2021
Directive #2 for Health Care Providers (Regulated Health Professionals or Persons who operate a Group Practice of Regulated Health Professionals) Updated April 20, 2021
Using ventilation and filtration to reduce aerosol transmission of COVID-19 in long term care homes April 12, 2021
At home: using ventilation and filtration to reduce the risk of aerosol transmission of COVID-19 April 12, 2021
Infection prevention and control for COVID-19: Interim guidance for outpatient and ambulatory care settings April 9, 2021
Directive #5 for Hospitals within the meaning of the Public Hospitals Act and Long – Term Care Homes within the meaning of the Long – Term Care Homes Act, 2007 updated April 7, 2021

There are no changes for dietetic practice. The exceptions in the Order include accessing health services.

Guidance on virtual visits remains unchanged, and dietitians should continue to follow the Ministry’s Operational Requirements
The vaccine tools and resources have been updated and are posted to the HCP website.
Also see, the College’s COVID-19 Guidance for the Gradual Restart of Non-Essential Virtual and In-Person Care, which is a supplement to the Ministry’s operational requirements.
College Pandemic FAQs

Ministry of Health and Ministry of Long-Term Care

COVID-19 Vaccine-Relevant Information and Planning Resources
Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario guidance updated May 6, 2021
COVID-19 Fully Vaccinated Individuals: Case, Contact and Outbreak Management Iterim Guidance May 6, 2021
Appendix 10: Case & Contact Management COVID-19 Surge Support Model (Pilot) January 21, 2021

Updated documents:

Point-of-Care Testing Use Case Guidance March 23, 2021
Appendix 9: Management of Individuals with Point-of-Care Results March 23, 2021
Phase-2: Prioritization for COVID-19 Vaccination March 23, 2021
Considerations for Antigen Point-of-Care Testing March 19, 2021
Guidance for Prioritizing Health Care Workers for COVID-19 Vaccination updated March 17, 2021
Provincial Testing Guidance March 5, 2021
COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces (Customer screening) March 9, 2021
COVID-19 Screening Tool for Workplaces (Worker and employee screening) March 9, 2021
Quick Reference Public Health Guidance on Testing and Clearance March 5, 2021
Guidance: Considerations for Privately Initiated Testing March 5, 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 February 26, 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 November 20, 2020
Guidance Hospice Care November 12, 2020
Guidance: Primary Care Providers in a Community Setting November 9, 2020

College Resources

Ministry of Long-Term Care

Retirement Home COVID-19 Visiting Policy, Supplement to Directive 3 Effective December 11, 2020
Directive #3 for Long-Term Care Homes. Effective December 9, 2020
- See Page 6:
  - Universal masking information - indicates staff and visitors must comply with universal masking and must wear a surgical/procedural mask for entire duration of their shift/visit regardless of outbreak
  - When staff are not in contact with residents or not in resident areas during break, staff may remove their mask but they must remain 2-metres away from other staff to prevent staff-to-staff transmission.

LTC/RH: One Site In-Person Work for Employees / Additional Sites Virtual

If you are an RD employed in LTC/RH, you can work in-person at one site, with any additional sites being virtual. Contractors should consult with their long term care homes.

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 Releasefor details. Reach out anytime at 416-598-1725 , Ext. 397or atpracticeadvisor@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.