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Open letter from CRD Electoral Area Directors

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Open letter from CRD Electoral Area Directors

March 23, 2020

Dear Residents of Salt Spring and the Southern Gulf Islands,

We are living through unprecedented times. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a society-wide mobilization previously seen only in wartime. Public guidelines are being revised daily and the pace of change can feel overwhelming. It may be difficult to understand who is in charge and what is being done to keep our families and island communities safe.

The Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, is leading pandemic planning and response across B.C. She has declared a provincial health emergency and ordered the closure of schools, restaurants and personal service businesses, restricted mass gatherings, and ordered international travellers to self-isolate. These orders are not suggestions.  Our communities require 100% compliance for measures to be effective and violations should be referred to the police non-emergency line.  Island Health and their local resources such as the Lady Minto Hospital are coordinating COVID-19 testing, treatment and the continued delivery of regular health-care services.

The provincial government has declared a separate state of emergency which gives it authority over the movement of people, supply chains, and rationing. There are federal and provincial economic relief programs to help those impacted by the pandemic and details are available on their respective websites. Our local Chambers of Commerce, CRD economic development commissions, and service organizations are helping businesses and vulnerable population with these programs.

Local governments take direction from the Provincial Health Officer during pandemics. The Capital Regional District is the local government for Salt Spring and the Southern Gulf Islands and has activated their Emergency Operations Centre to provide a clear chain-of-command for COVID-19 communication and decision-making. The Provincial Health Officer has instructed the CRD to ensure essential services such as water, sewage, solid waste, transportation, and fire response are not interrupted by staff absences caused by sickness or family care needs.  The CRD’s on-island emergency programs are helping coordinate community, neighbourhood, and fire responder groups, and are in regular communication with health representatives and other critical infrastructure providers such as BC Ferries, BC Transit, BC Hydro, MOTI and the RCMP. The Capital Regional District are posting real-time updates on the local situation to social media and the CRD website.

Although the federal government has barred international and non-essential U.S. visits, there is no provincial directive to restrict travel to the Southern Gulf Islands. Locally elected CRD directors, Islands Trust officials, Chambers of Commerce and the newly formed Southern Gulf Islands Tourism Partnership are advising visitors to defer trips to our area until the pandemic has passed.  

Most importantly, we all need to take care of ourselves and each other over the coming weeks. Stay at home when possible, practise social distancing by maintaining two metres distance from others, wash your hands frequently, and look out for those around you who may be vulnerable. COVID-19 is highly contagious and spreads exponentially; even small changes in our behaviour will save lives and help us make good use of finite health resources.

This will be a long and difficult response. If you suspect you may be sick, please self-isolate and use BC’s online COVID-19 self-assessment tool. If you have non-medical questions, call 1-888-COVID19 or text 604-630-0300. 

On behalf of our entire community, we want to express our deep appreciation and thanks to our health-care providers and those in the public and private sectors who continue to provide essential services in these extraordinary times.

Gary Holman,

CRD Electoral Area Director for Salt Spring, and

Dave Howe,

CRD Electoral Area Director for the Southern Gulf Islands

Salt Spring Chamber of Commerce addresses potential island visitors

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Salt Spring Chamber of Commerce addresses potential island visitors

Open letter from the Salt Spring Chamber of Commerce regarding tourism and Salt Spring Island – March 23:

Salt Spring Island and its residents have a long history of happily welcoming thousands of visitors all year around. We are proud of our safe community and love sharing it with people from around the world.

Given the situation, we ask that you stay safely in your home to help our island, province and country deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Our community, like other small communities, has very limited resources to deal with the pandemic. It is important that our essential services are not overwhelmed by an added risk from an influx of visitors.

Salt Spring Island will be here when it’s over. We are working hard to make sure that the wonderful shops, restaurants, cafes, artisans, farmers, tour companies, accommodations and adventure operators that make Salt Spring what it is, are able to open again. We need to ensure that our businesses, their owners, their employees, and all community members remain safe and healthy so that they can offer you the world-class service that they have been providing for decades.

We also encourage our local residents to stay home, support the businesses within our community, and do your part in keeping your neighbours and essential service workers safe and healthy.

If you want to support the island community there are many ways to do so from home. Make future reservations and travel plans when travel becomes more certain, contact your favourite local businesses and purchase a gift card, order from their online stores, and follow Salt Spring Tourism on social media to dream and plan for your future trip to our tranquil island. We will be here to welcome you again.

In the meantime, we hope that you stay healthy and we look forward to welcoming you to Salt Spring Island when it’s safe to do so.

Li Read,

President, SSI Chamber of Commerce, and

Jessica Harkema,

Executive director, SSI Chamber of Commerce

Message to potential Gulf Islands visitors: Stay home

Driftwood Staff
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Message to potential Gulf Islands visitors: Stay home

Elected officials from across the Gulf Islands and Howe Sound Islands issued a plea on March 23 for people to stay away from the Islands Trust area to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and to reduce pressure on limited island services.

“Now is not the time to be visiting the islands,” said Peter Luckham, chair of Islands Trust Council, in a news statement. “Most Gulf Islands have a median age of over 60 years old and limited or no medical services. First responders are volunteers who are practising sheltering in place in order to be available for normal emergencies. We urge everyone to stay home and avoid discretionary travel to and from the islands. As ferry-dependent communities, we are especially vulnerable and face additional challenges. Now is not the time to take a holiday or visit your vacation property.”

The issue of potentially large groups of tourists coming to the islands was highlighted on Friday when island resident Sheralin Cook observed approximately 30 people at the Salt Spring Golf Course, made inquiries about why that was happening and publicized the situation via Facebook. While the course’s clubhouse was closed, people had been able to play golf using the honour system. The course has since been closed.

Electoral area directors for the Capital Regional District also recognized the potential risk to rural island communities from visitors in a joint statement the following day.

“Today our islands need to focus on the needs of residents,” said Salt Spring director Gary Holman. “We need our Gulf Islands’ precious medical resources for our most vulnerable, especially for those who are immune compromised.” 

Dave Howe, director for the Southern Gulf Islands, asked current visitors to make plans to return to their permanent homes.

“You don’t know if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19. I urge you to stay home, and by doing so, protect yourself, your family and our island’s unique culture and way of life. Follow the government’s advisory — stay home and do not travel unless absolutely necessary,” Howe said.

The Southern Gulf Islands Tourism Partnership and the Salt Spring Chamber of Commerce have also since issued statements advising people to not visit the islands, and BC Ferries has also requested that all non-essential travel be curtailed.

Island trustees have additionally encouraged people who are already visiting island properties from private boats to return to their primary residences to reduce the need for medical evacuations.

“On behalf of all British Columbians, the Islands Trust works to preserve and protect over 450 islands in the Salish Sea,” Luckham said. “We now ask British Columbians to protect islanders and yourselves by staying home. We look forward to welcoming visitors again when it is safe to do so.”

YOUNG, Marv Superintendent

Driftwood Obituary
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YOUNG, Marv Superintendent

Marv Young, Superintendent
June 28, 1935 – March 17, 2020

Marv passed peacefully at the Lady Minto Hospital, after a  battle with A.L.S. His wife, daughter, son and three grandchildren were by his side.

Marv served 35 years in the R.C.M.P. and enjoyed his retirement years golfing on Salt Spring Island.

At this time no service is planned.

March 22 – Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association COVID-19 Update

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March 22 – Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association COVID-19 Update

March 22 – Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association

COVID-19 Update

The physicians of Salt Spring Island are on the frontlines in the battle against COVID-19. This crisis is unlike anything we have experienced in our lifetime. We are working flat out to be there for our patients and their families. 

Doctors cannot do this alone. What the public does now will impact the health of British Columbians in the weeks and months ahead. Lives depend on your actions now. 

Our province is in a state of emergency. Here is the directive from our Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry:

• Stay home unless absolutely necessary. This means no dinner parties. No shopping. No sports, even outside. Have coffee with a friend online.

• Keep two metres or six feet away from everyone if you must go out. That’s about the width of a car or the length of two arms stretched out.

• Wash your hands frequently.

• Tell your loved ones to do the same.

This is especially important for young people. We sometimes see you out in the park or at the beach. You can get sick from this virus. More importantly, you can be carriers and cause a lot of harm to parents, grandparents, and other loved ones.  

The time is now. We can’t wait one more hour or one more day. Let’s save lives, together.

Prepared by Doctors of BC

Doctors say coronavirus in Gulf Islands and everyone must help prevent transmission

Gail Sjuberg
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Doctors say coronavirus in Gulf Islands and everyone must help prevent transmission

As official COVID-19 cases continue to climb in the Island Health region, throughout B.C. and the world, the importance of social distancing everywhere, including Salt Spring and the other Gulf Islands, has been stressed by health officials.

On Saturday, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced 74 new positive COVID-19 cases in B.C. for a total of 424. Twenty-seven of that number are in hospital and 12 in intensive care units. Thirty-seven of the 424 total are in the Vancouver Island health region. Ten people have died in B.C., with eight of those related to the Lynn Valley Care Centre outbreak in North Vancouver where the virus was first detected on March 5.

Locally, in its March 21 communique the Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association addressed questions about whether or not people were infected with the virus locally.

“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.”

Dr. Henry reiterated the critical importance of people practising social distancing and following orders about self-isolating for 14 days after returning from international travel (including the U.S.) Restaurants must offer take-out and delivery services only. 

“This is incredibly important for everybody,” she said. “Right now . . . It’s in our hands right now. So this is our chance to stay apart, to connect socially, to connect virtually, to support each other, but to physically distance, and I am calling on all of you to do that right now.”

Personal service establishments, such as massage therapists, salons, spas and tattoo parlours, have now been ordered to close as well. 

Henry confirmed that the government is working with peace officers around the province to assist with order enforcement if needed.

Both Henry and Dr. Holly Slakov, chief of staff at Lady Minto Hospital, confirmed that the only people who will be tested for COVID-19 are healthcare workers, people who have been hospitalized, are in a long-term care facility or are part of a known cluster, such as the dental conference held in Vancouver two weeks ago. As reported elsewhere, Slakov said there is a shortage of swabs and testing kits in B.C. and globally.

Saturday’s LMH message states, however, “It is not testing that will limit this illness . . . it is social distancing and self-isolation that will.”

COVID-19 has caused numerous Salt Spring Island businesses to close or reduce their hours.

The Salt Spring Chamber of Commerce is maintaining a list of business hours and service adjustments. It provides a one-stop reference for people wondering what is happening with local business operations. Business owners should email executive director Jessica Harkema at jessica@saltspringchamber.com to add their current information to the list.

Stocks at Salt Spring grocery stores continue to be maintained, despite shelves being depleted of some items at times. Purchase limits have been instituted in some cases.

Sign limiting toilet paper purchases to one package per customer at Country Grocer.

 

Country Grocer and Thrifty Foods are closing earlier than normal to give staff more time to restock shelves and clean the premises. Ganges Pharmasave is among stores not reducing its regular hours.

Pharmasave owner Gary Utter said in a March 19 statement, “Our entire team has been working hard to ensure not only a clean environment in our store, but also that our shelves remain as well-stocked as possible. Although some items are temporarily unavailable, goods continue to arrive. We continue to place limits on quantities purchased of key items to make sure that we share fair access to the products needed to keep your family safe.”

Pharmasave and other businesses are encouraging people to take advantage of delivery services offered. Pharmasave also has an app that enable people to order refills and outlines the process for ordering new prescriptions remotely: ECare@Pharmasave.com.  

Copper Kettle Community Partnership volunteers are covering grocery delivery to vulnerable people for Country Grocer at present. They can be reached at 250-537-5863.

“People are grateful for the delivery service,” said Cherie Geauvreau of the Copper Kettle on Friday.

Salt Spring Community Services reports a number of changes to its various programs, including the Recycling Depot, where only one vehicle is being allowed into the parking area at one time, leading to long waits.

A long lineup and 50-minute wait greeted people trying to get into the Salt Spring Recycling Depot on Friday afternoon as only one vehicle at a time was let into the parking area. No more socializing at the depot!

 

On the bright side, BC Transit has waived fees for this period, including on Salt Spring Island. Some modifications have reportedly been made to local bus seating to help maximize distances between passengers. Salt Spring buses do not have rear doors for loading passengers as is being done in more urban areas with larger buses.

BC Ferries says it has experienced a 40 per cent decline in traffic due to COVID-19. The ferry corporation is maintaining scheduled service but has removed extra sailings it had added for spring break and higher-demand April weekends serving both the major routes and the Tsawwassen-Gulf Islands route.

Seair Seaplanes has cancelled scheduled service, but is maintaining its charter service. Harbour Air is continuing to fly but with only single-aisle seating, hand sanitizer used in the embarking and disembarking process, and extra disinfecting of planes and offices.

A new COVID19 Coming Together Facebook group has also been started for networking and support purposes.

Some Salt Spring arts festivals that were scheduled for 2020 have been cancelled in recent days. The second annual PhotoFest, which was to take place in the month of June, will not go forward. As well, the third biennial Salt Spring Island Ceramic Awards, set for October, has been cancelled.

The Driftwood has also reduced the hours its office is open for business to 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Subscriptions can be renewed and ads placed by calling 250-537-9933 or emailing inquiries@gulfislandsdriftwood.com. All news-gathering activities will be done by phone, email, Facebook, Facetime or similar methods. Please send your story ideas, photos and submissions to news@gulfislandsdriftwood.com or via Facebook: facebook.com/gulfislandsdriftwood.

March 21 Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association Press Release: Covid-19

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March 21 Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association Press Release: Covid-19

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.

 

March 20 Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association Post

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March 20 Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association Post

We would like to say thank you to all those in the community who are doing so many things to help during this challenging time. This includes the grocery stores which are making special hours for seniors; pharmacies which are ensuring we have enough medications; all the restaurants which have moved to take out; all the people who are helping their neighbours with their groceries, and so many more.

While it is true that this virus affects the elderly and those whose immune systems are compromised most seriously, it will affect all of us. We must make sure that our healthcare system can continue to provide care to everyone who needs it and not become overwhelmed by patients with COVID-related disease. The best way to do this is to prevent person-to-person infection by maintaining social distancing and staying home if we have symptoms.

If you are ill and have mild symptoms, please stay at home and take care of yourself. Contact your family doctor’s office if you need advice on how to care for yourself and manage your symptoms. Do not go to the pharmacy. You can phone your pharmacist for advice about over the counter medication for your symptoms and they may be able to give you medical advice. Delivery of prescriptions and products can be arranged.

IF YOU BECOME SERIOUSLY ILL, AND PARTICULARLY IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SHORTNESS OF BREATH, COME TO THE HOSPITAL.

The Lady Minto Hospital ER remains open and available 24 hours a day for emergency health care.

Please note that we will not report on numbers of COVID cases. The provincial Medical Health Officer gives a daily briefing that provides us all with an update on the progress of COVID-19 through our communities. Our focus is on ensuring that you stay healthy and that our local hospital is able to continue to care for you and your families.

Ferries suspends food service to combat COVID-19 spread

Driftwood Staff
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Ferries suspends food service to combat COVID-19 spread

BC Ferries has suspending all food services on ships and at terminals in continued support of social distancing.
“During the COVID-19 situation, customers have changed their food purchasing habits and are choosing not to buy our grab-and-go items at this time, leading to tremendous food waste,” the corporation noted in a March 19 statement. “Vending machines are still available.”

In order to reduce the amount of waste, crew members suggested the perishable food items be donated to local food banks.

The move saw more than 700 pounds of food from the Salish Raven and Orca given to the Salt Spring Food Bank on Thursday. The items included things like eggs, yogurt and fresh veggies.

As well, Esquimalt-based Rainbow Kitchen picked up more than 2,400 pounds of food from the Swartz Bay terminal on Thursday. The food came from five ships and Lands End café. 

Rainbow Kitchen serves the community of Esquimalt and beyond with food security measures from week day cold breakfasts or hot lunches prepared and served each day to providing food resources to thousands of others in the Capital Regional District through partnerships with other local food security agencies.

March 19 Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association COVID-19 Post

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March 19 Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association COVID-19 Post

March 19, 2020 LMH MSA COVID-19 post

COVID-19 is in all of our communities, including our Gulf Islands communities. We are all part of this pandemic. B.C. and Vancouver Island’s infection rate curves are following that of other countries; we are just a bit behind. We are in the critical period to “flatten the curve” and slow the rate of spread of COVID-19.   

THE MOST EFFECTIVE TOOL WE HAVE TO PREVENT SPREAD IS PHYSICAL SEPARATION. WE IMPLORE YOU TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING OF 6 FEET (2 METERS) WHICH IS THE TYPICAL DISTANCE FROM FINGERTIP TO FINGERTIP WITH ARMS OUTSTRETCHED. IF YOU HAVE ANY COLD SYMPTOMS OR ARE RETURNING FROM OUT OF THE COUNTRY YOU MUST SELF ISOLATE FOR 14 DAYS.

Effective immediately, Lady Minto Hospital acute care is closed to all visitors to mitigate spread of this virus.

Many people have questions about testing and we understand this has and continues to be confusing. The World Health Organization says “test, test, test” and yet here in B.C. we are not offering general access to testing. Following the protocols established by our Medical Health Officer, we are currently only testing healthcare workers, critically ill patients who are to be admitted to hospital, and as part of local outbreak management. This is not because there is a lack of desire to test but there is a global shortage of swabs and we need to be strategic in order to maintain our ability to offer health-care services to those who need them. 

If you are ill with cold symptoms, assume you are infectious and stay home for 14 days. You will not be tested for COVID-19 unless you need to be hospitalized. Self isolation is our most effective tool and it is medically safe to do so.

Family doctors’ offices are NOT closed. We remain available to you for your ongoing health care needs. However, we are trying to limit the risk of exposure to patients and staff by working remotely and contacting patients by phone whenever possible. Routine appointments (driver’s medicals, non-urgent follow ups, etc) will be deferred for now. If you DO need to be seen for a health concern, please contact your doctor’s office and they will arrange a visit or telephone call with your doctor as appropriate.  

Please DO connect by phone with neighbours and returning travellers to help with groceries.

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