We know that you in the community are quite rightly concerned and anxious about COVID-19.
Your family physicians have organized ourselves to respond to the situation as it evolves and to provide you with timely and accurate information regarding the novel COVID-19 pandemic currently upon our doorstep. Our goal is to provide information and direction so you may understand your own responsibilities as a member of our community and the greater population during this worldwide outbreak. The Province’s team of public health specialists (the Medical Health Officers) are working hard to support family physicians to have the information that is needed to respond to this pandemic.
We want to send out a clear message to you about how local Family Doctor healthcare is changing and explain how you can help our community fare as best it can through what will be a difficult time.
We understand many people are frustrated that the Provincial Health Officer and Island Health have not provided specific locations of confirmed cases.
We do know that the Coronavirus is in the Gulf Islands and as a result we need everyone to be taking measures to prevent transmission. Even people with very mild symptoms may pass on this virus. It doesn’t serve anyone to think “it’s not in my community and won’t affect me.” The precautions are for everybody in every community. The message is clear: for anyone who has not taken the calls to action seriously, it is not too late. You are being asked to take seriously your responsibility to your community and your loved ones.
Our plan to avoid this situation is to ensure everyone knows that social distancing is important. THIS APPLIES TO EVERYONE. Social distancing is currently seen as the main way to limit the spread of COVID-19. It requires YOU and everyone, to aggressively limit unnecessary direct contact you have with other people. This includes avoiding groups, crowded places, and places with more than 50 people where social distancing can’t be maintained. (This may include workplaces, stores, restaurants, places of worship, etc.). This means avoiding direct contact such as hand shaking and hugging, and maintaining a distance of at least 2 metres between you and others. Restricting direct person-to-person contact will greatly reduce the spread of the virus. It is unknown how long this will be needed. The need for social distancing will be monitored closely in the weeks and months ahead.
We attach an information graphic to help explain social distancing. Please follow these – even if you are not worried about your own health, taking these simple steps could save the lives of your loved ones.
Seeing your Family Doctor
You will notice changes when you contact your Family Doctor’s office. These have been put in place to reduce the spread of this virus – not only amongst our patients, many of whom are frail and elderly, but amongst the physicians and their teams. We want to make sure that doctors (and other primary care providers including midwives and nurse practitioners) and their teams stay healthy so that they can continue to look after you.
To delay the spread of COVID-19 we are reducing face-to-face contacts. In many cases this will mean using phone-calls and online assessments and follow ups. All physicians are able to provide effective care in this way and will ensure the patient is brought to the office for an examination when needed.
By cutting down on the number of face-to-face visits we are also using social distancing by minimizing the number of patients in the waiting room. For patients who have stable chronic disease, you are asked to delay any non-urgent lab work or imaging (Xrays) to decrease your need to go to the laboratory. We may lengthen prescription supplies to lower your need to go to the drug store. If you become unwell or your disease becomes unstable then you should contact your clinic.
Do not drop in to your doctor’s office. You may well be turned away. It is best to call ahead, or make contact first through other channels such as email or through online portals as they become available.
Employers – A reminder that it is time to stop asking your employees for sick notes for self-limiting illness, including those who develop a mild form of Coronavirus. In many cases doctors will refuse to provide them.
Testing For COVID-19
Doctors get new information regularly, including the latest screening guidelines. Testing is available for all who need it. Not everyone needs to be screened, even if you have symptoms. If you develop symptoms, call your Family Doctor; you can often be managed at home. You can also use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment tool which you can complete for yourself or on behalf of someone else if they are unable to: https://COVID19.thrive.health/
Who should be tested for COVID-19?
People with respiratory symptoms who are:
• Hospitalized, or likely to be hospitalized
• Health Care Workers
• Residents of long term care facilities
• Part of an investigation of a cluster or outbreak.
Remember, it is not testing that will limit this illness…it is social distancing and self-isolation that will.
Who should self-isolate?
Self-isolation is a critical step that you must take to limit the spread of infection in the community. If you develop cough, congestion, or fever, YOU MUST SELF-ISOLATE until symptoms resolve. If you are unsure, in the current situation, we ask that you assume that you have contracted the COVID-19 infection and self-isolate. This is no reason to panic and immediately seek medical attention. A positive test does not change the treatment of a COVID-19 infection. Most infected people will only develop a mild respiratory infection and will recover within 2 weeks.
If you become more unwell then this is the time to contact your Family Doctor. If you are unclear, then please do contact your Family Doctor.
Emergency Room at Lady Minto Hospital
PLEASE do NOT go to the Emergency Room for COVID-19 testing. You should only go to the Emergency Room if you are experiencing a medical emergency.
Steps are underway to ensure the hospital is able to deal with the COVID-19 situation as it changes. This includes postponement of elective surgeries and procedures such as colonoscopies across Island Health and the development of detailed plans to ensure we are ready to manage the forthcoming challenge. Your hospital team, alongside our hospital administration, are working tirelessly to deliver effective care for all eventualities.
Also, consider modifying risk-taking activities. Maybe mountain bike a bit less aggressively, take more care out driving – anything that reduces trips to the Emergency Room.
Taking Care of Yourself
Life for all of us is going to be different and at times very difficult through this year and possibly beyond.
Please ensure you get time away from worrying about COVID-19. For example, spend time alone or with close ones away from others in the beautiful environment we live in.
Most of us will be fine through this difficult time, but more of us will be fine if we stick together and act responsibly.
Take the time to eat healthily, exercise, and find new ways to relax. If you are feeling stressed or anxious, reach out to friends and family, or seek mental support via phone or on line.
Taking Care of our Community
Again, even if you are unconcerned about the risk to yourself of COVID-19, you must use social distancing to delay the spread of this virus. With no known cure or vaccine for COVID-19, preventing transmission is absolutely critical at this stage. Although the elderly are most at risk, there have been patients in their 30s in Italy, previously fit and well, who are currently in intensive care and requiring ventilator support. When a hospital is overwhelmed, even a minor car accident could have serious consequences because of the high demand for hospital care.
While following social distancing, including keeping 2 metres from others, isolating if unwell and frequent hand washing, do check in on your vulnerable, isolated neighbours – see that they have all they need.
(CLICK on the graphic to make it readable.)
Need More Information?
To avoid overloading resources at 811, people can also call 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319) for the Province’s COVID-19 information hotline. The toll-free phone line is open between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. seven days a week for non-medical information about the virus. That includes the latest information on travel recommendations and social distancing, as well as access to support and services from the provincial and federal governments.
The BC government is also offering an online self-assessment service (https://COVID19.thrive.health/) for people who want to check their health status and recommendations for the right steps to take.
Please also see the BC Centre for Disease Control website for further information: (http://COVID-19.bccdc.ca/)
Credit and gratitude goes to Dr. Adam Thompson and the Comox Valley Division of Family Practice for writing and compiling this information, which has been adapted here for the Gulf Islands.