COVID-19 Resources for Health Care Providers
Health care and allied health workers need to contact either their own health care provider or their occupational health department for return to work guidance.
COVID-19 is a reportable disease under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. Health care providers are required to immediately report all persons under investigation, probable and confirmed cases of COVID-19 to KFL&A Public Health at 613-549-1232 (during business hours) or 613-507-3100 (after hours and holidays). This includes any person who has been tested for COVID-19.
KFL&A Public Health will take actions to protect the public and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
For guidance on exposures in the workplace, please visit our Guidance for Businesses and Workplaces Page
Return to work for staff in highest-risk settings |
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Highest risk settings include:
Work self-isolation and workplace exposure recommendations in highest-risk settingsWorkers should contact their employer's occupational health and safety department for specific advice and follow the Click image to view flow chart in full screen - PDF
The following measures must be followed for workers on work self-isolation. They must:
Framework for critical staffing prioritizationReturn to work testing requirements for cases and contacts outlines the levels of risk options for contingency staffing with early return for close contacts and cases. For close contacts, use of rapid antigen testing options is preferred to options when testing is not available. It is the organization's responsibility to implement this guidance to determine which staffing option to use during staffing shortages. Return to work testing requirements for cases and contactsThe following workplace measures should be implemented for 10 days after last exposure for early return to work:
In health care settings where there is IPAC and occupational health oversight of return-to-work decision-making, COVID-19 positive staff meeting the criteria above may return to work and care for all patients, but every attempt should be made to avoid working with immunocompromised, elderly patients or patients who are unvaccinated. Resources
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Resources
Vaccination |
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Local epidemiology |
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Screening, testing, and case management for patients |
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Guidance documents |
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Screening and self-isolation for health care providers |
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Environmental Cleaning – Clinical setting |
The Public Health Agency of Canada has developed the following guidance related to environmental cleaning of clinical settings during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
What to do:Increase frequency of cleaning of high-touch surfaces to control the spread of microorganisms during a respiratory infection outbreak, such as COVID-19. What to use:Environmental cleaning products registered in Canada with a Drug Identification Number (DIN) and labelled as a ‘broad-spectrum virucide’ are sufficient to destroy SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. What to clean and when:All surfaces, especially those that are horizontal and frequently touched, should be cleaned at least twice daily and when soiled. Other considerations:Follow your ‘terminal cleaning’ protocol for cleaning of a patient's room after discharge, transfer or discontinuation of contact and droplet precautions. See Appendix 6 in the Best Practices for Environmental Cleaning for Prevention and Control of Infections in All Health Care Settings, 3rd Edition for a sample ‘terminal cleaning’ procedure. Ensure rooms have minimal equipment or supplies to help facilitate the environmental cleaning process. |
Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) measures for COVID-19 |
| As guidelines are continuously changing, please check the Ontario Ministry of Health website for all updated directives and memos for health care providers.
The Ontario Ministry of Health recommends Droplet and Contact Precautions in addition to Routine Practices for the routine care of any patient with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. All staff that are required to wear personal protective equipment need to be properly trained in donning and doffing. The Ontario Ministry of Health recommends that all patients be screened over the phone for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to their appointment. If in-person, a plexiglass barrier can protect staff from droplet and contact spread. It also recommends that signage is displayed requesting patients with symptoms wear a mask, perform hand hygiene upon entering the office, and practice cough etiquette. Specific IPAC measures include:
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General resources and information for health care providers |
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Signage for health care settings |
Signage for long-term care facilities |
Posters for health care settings |
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Patient information sheets |
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Memos to community partners from KFL&A Public Health |
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Primary Care update: KFL&A Public Health, March 5, 2020 |
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For an accessible version of a resource, please contact KFL&A Public Health