COVID-19
Important Health Notices on COVID-19
The Ministry of Health relies on the AOM to disseminate ministry information to all AOM members during a health emergency such as an outbreak or pandemic. The AOM monitors outbreaks and alerts midwives as soon as possible with the relevant available information to assist in the next phase of planning and implementation for a specific outbreak:
Information for clients
- Public Health Agency of Canada: COVID-19 Being Prepared
- COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ontario
- Government of Canada Travel Advice re: COVID-19
- Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH) COVID-19 vaccine information for pregnant and breastfeeding people
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Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada: COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy
Midwives continue to provide uninterrupted service to their clients but the way care is delivered may differ as more virtual visits are being conducted. Midwives are screening their clients for symptoms of COVID-19 and ordering testing for COVID-19 on their behalf when clinically indicated. However, midwives are NOT ordering testing for COVID-19 for the general public.
If you are a midwifery client with any symptoms of COVID-19 (PDF, 88 KB), or if you are self-isolating for any reason, please do not present yourself at clinic. Instead, call ahead and make alternate arrangements with your midwife. If you have severe breathing difficulties (or any other emergency), please call 9-1-1.
Information for midwives
AOM resources
Members only resources:
- COVID-19 Bulletin
- COVID-19 Funding FAQ
- COVID-19 Resource for Midwives iOS mobile app
- Sample protocols and shared resources
Resources:
- COVID-19 Resource for Midwives iOS app (FREE)
- COVID-19 Resource for Midwives Android app (FREE)
- COVID-19 clinical FAQ for midwives
- Jan 18, 2022: Letter - Midwife Compensation - Nursing Shifts
- Sept 1, 2021: Updated: Midwives ordering testing for COVID-19 (PDF, 374 KB)
- April 16, 2021: Home birth during the COVID-19 pandemic (PDF, 768 KB)
- May 6, 2020: Water birth and COVID-19 (PDF, 411 KB)
- Apr 20, 2020: Virtual visits: A comparison chart of platforms to use (PDF, 140 KB)
- Apr 20, 2020: Virtual visit guide for midwives (PDF, 459 KB)
- Apr 1, 2020: PPE performance levels chart (PDF, 1 MB)
Clinical guidance re: COVID-19 and pregnancy
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Feb, 2022: Testing Recommendations for Newborns Born to Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Positive People (PDF, 130 KB)
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Jan, 2022: BORN Ontario COVID-19 Revised Case Report Form (PDF, 498 KB)
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Jan, 2022: BORN Ontario COVID-19 Cheat Sheet (PDF, 190 KB)
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June 3, 2021: CANCOVID-Preg: Canadian surveillance of COVID-19 in pregnancy report #4 (PDF, 794 KB)
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June 3, 2021: CANCOVID-Preg: Canadian surveillance of COVID-19 in pregnancy report #4 infographic (PDF, 116 KB)
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June 3, 2021: Communique to health practitioners: Reports of Myocarditis/pericarditis after COVID-19 vaccination (PDF, 168 KB)
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May 27, 2021: SOGC COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy FAQ for Health Care Providers (PDF, 333 KB)
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May 27, 2021: COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations for Special Populations (PDF, 160 KB)
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May 25, 2021: SOGC statement on COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy (Reaffirmed) (PDF, 541 KB)
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Apr 20, 2021: SOGC Statement on the COVID-19 vaccines and rare adverse outcomes of thrombosis associated with low platelets (PDF, 430 KB)
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Apr 16, 2021: COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy & breastfeeding patient decision-making tool (PDF, 541 KB)
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Feb 25, 2021: Canadian surveillance of COVID-19 in pregnancy report #3 (PDF, 1042 KB)
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Feb 25, 2021:Canadian surveillance of COVID-19 in pregnancy report #3 infographic (PDF, 149 KB)
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Feb 15, 2021: SOGC Committee Opinion No. 400: COVID-19 and Pregnancy (Reaffirmed) (PDF, 880 KB)
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Feb 15, 2021: SOGC statement on pregnant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic (Reaffirmed) (PDF, 751 KB)
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Jan 15, 2021: Canadian surveillance of COVID-19 in pregnancy report #2 (PDF, 945 KB)
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Jan 15, 2021: Canadian surveillance of COVID-19 in pregnancy report #2 infographic (PDF, 150 KB)
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Dec 2, 2020: Canadian surveillance of COVID-19 in pregnancy infographic (PDF, 118 KB)
- Dec 2, 2020: Canadian surveillance of COVID-19 in pregnancy report #1 (PDF, 870 KB)
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Nov 16, 2020: Canadian Paediatric Society: Delivery room considerations for infants born to mothers with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 (PDF 167 KB)
- Oct 28, 2020: PCMCH COVID-19 pregnancy care guideline (PDF, 1.5 MB)
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Oct 22, 2020: Updated maternal-neonatal COVID-19 general guideline (PDF 1.1 MB)
- Aug 12, 2020: ACOG practice advisory on COVID-19
- Jul 24, 2020: RCOG/RCM guidelines for COVID-19 infection in pregnancy
- May 27, 2020: WHO COVID-19 infection guidance re: pregnancy, postpartum, newborn care
- May 25, 2020: Breastfeeding Committee of Canada - Key messages: Infant feeding and COVID-19 (PDF, 228 KB)
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May 6, 2020: Canadian Paediatric Society: Breastfeeding when mothers have suspected or proven COVID-19
- Apr 9, 2020: Guidance for provision of midwife-led settings and home birth in the evolving COVID-19 pandemic (PDF, 164 KB)
- Mar 27, 2020: SMFM/SOAP Labour and delivery COVID-19 considerations (PDF, 612 KB)
- Mar 26, 2020: OHT recommendations for management of pregnant women and neonates with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 (PDF, 1.2 MB)
- Mar 26, 2020: PSO COVID-19 and prenatal screening (FAQ)
- Mar 17, 2020: SOGC recommendations re: COVID-19 and pregnancy (PDF, 500 KB)
- Mar 15, 2020: CAPWHN COVID-19 suggestions for the care of the perinatal population (PDF, 404 KB)
- Mar 2020: ACOG/SMFM Outpatient assessment and management for pregnant women with suspected or confirmed novel coronavirus (COVID-19) (PDF, 162 KB)
Ministry and government updates
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December 8, 2022 - Access to COVID-19 antiviral treatment (Paxlovid): Information for primary care providers and other health care providers caring for patients in the community (PDF, 230 KB)
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December 8, 2022 - Ontario Health Recommendation on the Use of Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir (Paxlovid) (PDF, 252 KB)
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November 30, 2022- MOH Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario v.15.1 (PDF, 333 KB)
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October 6, 2022 - MOH COVID-19 Provincial Testing Guidance V. 15.2 (PDF, 221 KB)
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August 24, 2022 - MOH Guidelines for Pandemic Stockpile Use (PDF, 111 KB)
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June 11, 2022 - MOH COVID-19 Guidance: Acute Care v.8 (PDF, 179 KB)
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June 10, 2022 - COVID-19 Guidance: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Health Care Workers and Health Care Entities v.1 (PDF, 187 KB)
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June 10, 2022 - CMOH Memo re Revocation of Directives #1, #2.1, #3, #4, and #5 (PDD, 162 KB)
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April 27, 2022: COVID-19 Vaccine Administration v.5 (PDF, 5,993 KB)
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March 9, 2021: MOH memo re. N95s (PDF, 95 KB)
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February 14, 2022: COVID-19 Guidance: Primary Care Providers in a Community Setting v.10 (PDF, 302 KB)
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February 10, 2022: COVID-19 Directive 2: Questions and Answers (PDF, 1,303)
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February 10, 2022: Ontario Health Memo on revocation of Directive 2 (PDF, 226 KB)
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January 17, 2022: COVID-19 case definition (PDF, 93 KB)
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January 13, 2022: COVID-19 Vaccine Third Dose Recommendations v.7 (PDF, 298 KB)
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December 31, 2021: Medical Exemptions to COVID-19 Vaccination v2.0 (PDF, 183 KB)
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December 31, 2021: COVID-19 Vaccination Recommendations for Special Populations v.9.1 (PDF, 150 KB)
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December 20, 2021: Updated COVID-19 Guidance for Perinatal Healthcare Providers (PDF, 75 KB)
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December 15, 2021: PHO interim IPAC recommendations for use of PPE for care of individuals with suspect or confirmed COVID
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October 21, 2021: Guidance for routine immunization services during COVID-19 v.2 (PDF, 215 KB)
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October 12, 2021: MOH COVID-19 fully immunized and previously positive individuals: case, contact and outbreak management interim guidance v.3 (PDF, 270 KB)
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September 14, 2021: MOH COVID-19 Fully vaccinated status in Ontario (PDF, 89 KB)
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September 14, 2021: MOH COVID-19 quick reference Public Health guidance on testing and clearance (PDF, 840 KB)
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August 27, 2021: COVID-19 self assessment
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August 27, 2021: COVID-19 worker and employee screening tool
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August 25, 2021: Point-of-care testing use case flowchart v.5 (PDF, 281 KB)
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August 25, 2021: Considerations for antigen point-of-care testing guidance v.7 (PDF, 1.7 MB)
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August 25, 2021: Appendix 9: Management of individuals with point-of-care results v.6 (PDF, 1.2 MB)
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June 22, 2021: COVID-19 vaccination: Special populations vaccination in pregnancy & breastfeeding patient decision-making tool (PDF, 438 KB)
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June 22, 2021: Q&A for health-care providers on mixed COVID-19 mRNA vaccine schedules (PDF, 129 KB)
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Feb 9, 2021: Guidance for prioritizing health care workers for COVID-19 vaccination v.2 (PDF, 325 KB)
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Nov 10, 2020: MOH COVID-19 guidance: Labour, delivery and newborn care v.3 (PDF, 159 KB)
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Sept 8, 2020: Ontario Health PPE and swab kit request guide (PDF, 1.1 MB)
- Aug 5, 2020: MOH memo: Access to the provincial pandemic stockpile of PPE (PDF, 150 KB)
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Aug 5, 2020: Memo: Accès à la réserve provinciale d’EPI pour la pandémie (PDF, 454 KB)
- Aug 4, 2020: Pandemic transitional PPE support FAQ (PDF, 180 KB)
- Aug 4, 2020: RQFP: Aide temporaire au titre de l’EPI en période de pandémie (PDF, 588 KB)
- July 29, 2020: MOH instructions for completing PPE remedy intake form (PDF, 294 KB)
- Apr 28, 2020: PSHSA Health and safety guidance during COVID-19 for physician and primary care provider employers (PDF, 266 KB)
- Mar 30, 2020: MOH fact sheet: Talking to children about the pandemic (PDF, 64 KB)
- Mar 30, 2020: MOH fact sheet: Resources for Ontarians experiencing mental health and addictions issues during the pandemic (PDF, 84 KB)
- Mar 29, 2020: Wellesley Institute resource on uninsured clients during COVID-19 (PDF, 66 KB)
- Mar 20, 2020: MOH memo re: funding for the uninsured (PDF, 125 KB)
- Coronavirus: Emergency planning and preparedness (MOH)
Ethics
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Dec 29, 2020: MOH Ethical framework for COVID-19 vaccination (PDF, 167 KB)
- Apr 21, 2020: Ethical framework for decision-making for midwives during COVID-19 pandemic (Fillable template; DOCX, 126 KB)
- Apr 21, 2020: Ethical framework for decision-making for midwives during COVID-19 pandemic (PDF, 254 KB)
- Apr 21, 2020: Ethical framework for decision-making for midwives during COVID-19 pandemic (Exemplar; PDF, 553 KB)
- PCMCH Ethics in a pandemic influenza crisis: a framework for decision-making (PDF, 98 KB)
- Joint Centre for Bioethics: Ethical framework for the allocation of PPE (PDF, 460 KB)
- JCB: Ethical considerations for pandemic planning (PDF, 157 KB)
Infection prevention and control and personal protective equipment
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June 10, 2022 - COVID-19 Guidance: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Health Care Workers and Health Care Entities v.1 (PDF, 187 KB)
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May 20, 2021: PHO Updated IPAC recommendations for use of PPE for care of individuals with suspect or confirmed COVID-19 (PDF, 1546 KB)
- Apr 1, 2020: PPE performance levels chart (PDF, 1 MB)
- Mar 27, 2020: Guidance for the use of N95 respirators beyond their shelf life (PDF, 845 KB)
- Feb 14, 2020: PHO coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) self-isolation: guide for caregivers, household members and close contacts (PDF, 487 KB)
- Feb 12, 2020: FAQs from the Ministry of Health on access to PPE (PDF, 98 KB)
- Infection Prevention & Control webpage
Infographics:
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Doffing and cleaning PPE for reuse (PDF, 1 MB)
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Reuse or extended use of gowns (PDF, 109 KB)
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Doffing surgical masks for reuse (PDF, 811 KB)
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Doffing and storing N95s (PDF, 619 KB)
Pandemic planning
- Ontario health plan for an influenza pandemic
- Outbreak and pandemic template protocol (under Infection Prevention & Control tab)
- Role of the midwife in disaster/emergency preparedness (PDF, 217 KB)
- Stand on guard for thee: Ethical considerations in preparedness and planning for pandemic influenza (PDF, 157 KB)
Template signage
- Sept 24, 2020: MPG signage in colour and BW (EN) (PDF, 127 KB)
- Sept 24, 2020: MPG signage in colour and BW (FR) (PDF, 131 KB)
- Mar 9, 2020: MOH signage for the public on how to stay healthy (EN) (PDF, 81.4 KB)
- Mar 9, 2020: MOH signage for the public on how to stay healthy (FR) (PDF, 82.9 KB)
- Mar 5, 2020: MOH screening signage COVID-19 in Farsi (PDF, 153 KB)
- Mar 5, 2020: MOH screening signage COVID-19 in simplified Chinese (PDF, 149 KB)