COVID 19 update for Saturday March 14th. Please note that the situation evolves hourly so this is what we know now. We will post here daily, or more frequently as needed. Please check back often.
- So far we have not been alerted of any new COVID 19 positive swabs in the Vancouver Island Health Authority and there are no cases on Salt Spring.
- Testing requirements have not changed. (Please see below for testing critera)*
- A reminder that if you are experiencing mild cold or flu symptoms please stay home.
- Finally, misinformation about ways to prevent coronovirus infection is spreading rapidly so please check your sources. For example, there is no evidence that drinking warm water instead of cold water will kill the virus.
*COVID-19 Testing recommended for:
SYMPTOMATIC patients with respiratory symptoms consistent with COVID-19 including fever, cough, malaise/fatigue, runny nose, sore throat, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain.
AND one or more of the following exposures in the 14 days PRIOR to symptom onset:
- Confirmed high risk contact* with a known COVID-19 case
- Received credible notification that they were in contact or may have been in contact with a COVID-19 case (e.g. mass gathering, specific public setting, visited/worked at COVID outbreak facility)
- Household contact of a ill international traveller within 14 days of the traveller’s arrival**
- Travel outside of Canada (within 14 days of onset of symptoms)
* A high-risk close contact is defined by BCCDC as a person who:
- provided care for the case, including healthcare workers, family members or other caregivers, or who had other similar close physical contact (e.g., intimate partner) without consistent and appropriate use of personal protective equipment, OR
- who lived with or otherwise had close prolonged (refer to 1 above) contact (within 2 metres) with a probable or confirmed case while the case was ill, OR
- had direct contact with infectious body fluids of a probable or confirmed case (e.g., was coughed or sneezed on) while not wearing recommended PPE, OR
- has been identified by the local MHO as a possible contact.
**The international traveller who is ill should also be assessed for testing, if not already done so.
Please DO NOT test asymptomatic patients OR patients without a relevant exposure or international travel.
Be aware that patients admitted to hospital with Influenza like illness ARE being tested for COVID-19 regardless of exposure history or travel.
We need judicious use of swabs in the outpatient and community setting because of potential shortages.
