Among his final acts as president and CEO of Horizon, Dr. John Dornan encouraged staff to “consider setting an example” by masking themselves in indoor public spaces, citing the “escalating” rate of COVID-19 transmission. in the community and in health settings.
In a memorandum last Thursday, the day before he was fired in a major health leadership change, Dornan advised staff that “several indicators have shown an increase” in the virus in New Brunswick over the past two weeks.
The incidence of COVID-19 has increased from 60 cases per 100,000 to 129, and the provincial PCR test positivity rate has doubled to 20%, according to the note obtained by CBC News.
Horizon spokesman Kris McDavid confirmed Monday that the note is authentic.
The number of patients admitted to a Horizon hospital due to COVID or initially admitted for another reason and subsequently tested positive for the virus has increased to 104 from 29, the note states.
There are now outbreaks of COVID in 15 Horizon hospital units, up from two.
And staff absenteeism due to COVID has increased from an average of 50 to an average of 150, Dornan advised.
“Given these worrying trends, Horizon and Vitalité continue to monitor the data and will make an evidence-based decision about our [infection prevention control] alert levels, ”he wrote, noting that similar increases in COVID activity are being observed in other provinces.
“Think about setting an example to our community by wearing masks indoors, shopping, etc. As part of our larger community, the 14,000 of us can be good examples.”
There are no plans for the mandatory mask
No need to mask in New Brunswick since March 14, when all COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.
Last week, the province’s medical director of health said it is not considering returning to mandatory masking or other protective restrictions.
“Right now … we’re not having that conversation,” Dr. Jennifer Russell told CBC News.
“The message right now is about vaccination, because that’s what will reduce people’s risk of having serious outcomes and requiring hospitalization.”
Dornan urged Horizon’s approximately 14,000 staff members to maintain continuous masking in health facilities and to consider masking in the community’s interior public spaces as an example to others as COVID transmission 19 increases throughout the province. (Submitted by AHS)
New Brunswick’s decision to focus solely on vaccination against COVID-19 in the face of increased COVID cases fueled by highly transmissible Omicron BA.5 and BA.4 subvariants is a “bad strategy,” according to infection control epidemiologist Colin Furness.
He predicted that children under five, who are not currently vaccinated, will fail and put themselves at greater risk.
Asked Monday if the province’s position on masking has changed, Department of Health spokesman Shawn Berry responded in an email: “Public health has continually sent out the value of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions that help to reduce the risk to themselves and others.
“Masking is one of the many tools people can choose to use to help reduce the risk to themselves and others of COVID-19.”
When asked what role Dornan’s note played in his dismissal on Friday, Berry said the two events “were unrelated.”
Dornan, who was only appointed chairman and CEO in March, after holding the position on an interim basis for about seven months, declined to comment.
Provinces need to recognize that COVID-19 is transmitted through the air and educate people about the use of respirators, said infection control epidemiologist Colin Furness. (Nicholas Pfosi / Reuters)
Prime Minister Blaine Higgs announced that Dornan was fired, Dorothy Shephard was fired as Health Minister, and Horizon and Vitalité’s advice was withdrawn, citing a growing health crisis that included the “traumatic” death of a patient Tuesday in a Fredericton emergency department. room.
Margaret Melanson, Horizon’s vice president of clinical services, will act as Dornan’s interim replacement.
Bruce Fitch has been appointed Minister of Health and Shephard will take over as Minister of Social Development.
Instead of the boards of directors of the two health authorities, Higgs said his government has appointed Suzanne Johnston and Gerald Richard as trustees of Horizon and Vitalité, respectively.
In addition to masking in public, Dornan asked the note staff to maintain continuous masking at Horizon’s facilities and to practice good hand hygiene.
They should also continue to follow infection prevention and control instructions, especially physical distancing and occupancy limits in dining rooms, he said, “as the risk of transmission increases significantly when the mask is removed while eating or drinking.” .
If staff have community or occupational exposure to COVID, they should use on-site testing clinics, Dornan said.
If they have “SOME” symptoms of the virus, he stressed in capital letters, the test should be done.
Dornan thanked staff for their “continued diligence and support” in responding to the pandemic.
“Please be safe and take the time to recharge,” he concluded.