Across BC we are seeing an increase in COVID activity. Although Vancouver Island has continued to maintain relatively low numbers of cases, we cannot rely on our physical separation from the rest of the province to maintain our current status. It is crucial that we maintain vigilance with our individual and collective actions.

• Maintain our bubbles of immediate family and our “safe six” of family and friends
• Maintain physical distancing when in public or with people not in our bubble
• Wear a mask to reduce droplet spread and limit the potential to spread viral particles from infected individuals, including those who do not have symptoms, or to inhale viral particles from others
• Wash our hands frequently

COVID has been devastating to residents of long term care facilities where there have been outbreaks. We have been able to avoid any community or facility outbreaks on Salt Spring so far and we need to continue to do so.

“There is good work being done by the Vancouver Island Health Authority in making sure we have provisions in place to protect our care homes, and we don’t have high numbers of circulating virus in the community,” said Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry. “They’ve done an amazing job of protecting long-term care homes here on the island.”

The annual influenza vaccine is now available for immunization. ‘Flu vaccination remains an important means to protect individuals from illness and prevent community spread with the potential for a ‘twindemic’.

The family doctors of Saltspring are working with Public Health and community partners to provide ‘flu vaccinations at a community ‘flu clinic this year. Individual physician offices have limited capacity to offer ‘flu shots to individuals while maintaining COVID infection control practices so we are encouraging our patients to attend the community ‘flu clinic if at all possible. Local pharmacies are also providing ‘flu vaccinations.

The community ‘flu clinic is scheduled for Friday, November 6 through Sunday, November 8 at the Gulf Island Secondary School. ‘Flu shots are available by appointment only. There will be an online booking system. To book an appointment, go to islandfluclinics.ca and select Southern Gulf Islands. We are immunizing everybody regardless of age.

Information on influenza is available at islandhealth.ca/flu along with a link to the ‘flu clinic booking site.