COVID-19 Updated Guidance
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Updates to Provincial Guidance on PPE for COVID-19
TBDHU would like to draw your attention to the recent technical brief from Public Health Ontario regarding the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for care of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
Notable changes in this guidance:
- “Given the undetermined impact of the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant, the interim recommended PPE when providing direct care for patients with suspect or confirmed COVID-19 includes a fit-tested, seal-checked n95 respirator (or equivalent or greater protection), eye protection, gown, and gloves. Other appropriate PPE includes a well-fitted surgical/procedure (medical) mask, or non-fit tested respirator, eye protection, gown and gloves for direct care of patients with suspect or confirmed COVID-19.
- Fit tested N95 respirators (or equivalent or greater protection) should be used when aerosol generating medial procedures (AGMPs) are performed or anticipated to be performed on patients with suspect or confirmed COVID-19.
- These recommendations are interim and will be re-evaluated as more information on the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant emerges”
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Moderna - 10 Doses per Vial
Note that the Moderna shipment received this week by TBDHU is 10 doses per vial.
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Saving Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccines for Ages 12-29
Reminder to all vaccine providers that Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine should be prioritized for individuals aged 12-29 until new supply is confirmed. Please review the CMOH’s COVID-19 Vaccine Inventory Update from December 21.
Moderna is a safe and effective 3rd dose regardless of which vaccines were received for first and second doses. As recommend by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, mRNA vaccines can be used interchangeably, and patients are encouraged to get whichever booster is available, because they both protect them from the Omicron variant, and waiting for a preferred vaccine could put their health and families at risk. Moderna Spikevax (100 mcg) induces somewhat higher antibody levels compared to Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty (30 mcg). Protection against infection and severe disease from a primary series (dose one and two) with Moderna Spikevax (100 mcg) may be more durable than PfizerBioNTech Comirnaty (30 mcg).
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Additional Measures for Long-Term Care
Further to the December 28 announcement by Minister Phillips, in response to the evolving Omicron situation and in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, additional temporary enhanced measures are being implemented to optimize safety in long-term care homes. Please find below an Associate Deputy Minister memo outlining these measures and other supporting materials. French versions of the supporting materials will be shared as soon as available.
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Upcoming COVID-19 IPAC Webinar
Updated IPAC Recommendations for the use of Personal Protective Equipment When Caring for Individuals with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19: Congregate Settings
Date: Thursday, December 30, 2021
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET
Click here to register
Intended Audience: Staff who are primarily responsible for infection prevention and control (IPAC) in group homes, shelters, and other congregate living settings
About the presentation: The emergence and rapid spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in all settings, including congregate living, has contributed to Public Health Ontario’s (PHO) ongoing review of the evidence around the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when caring for individuals with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. The presenters will discuss updated recommendations, as of December 15, 2021, contained in the recently posted Technical Brief and answer questions about how these can be applied in congregate settings outside of long-term care and retirement homes.
PHO will also be offering this webinar tailored for additional audiences including public health units and acute care settings. Registration for those sessions will be available on PHO’s website and past presentations will be made available on the website shortly.
Presented by: Dr. Jeya Nadarajah, MD, MSc, FRCPC, IPAC Physician, Health Protection, Public Health Ontario and Sandra Callery, RN MHSc CIC, Senior Advisor, Health Protection, Public Health Ontario.
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