Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association

As expected, cases of COVID 19 continue to increase across the province and country, including Vancouver Island Health Authority. As we move into what is called a Phase 2 Response, testing will focus on health care workers, admitted hospital patients, and long term care facility outbreaks. All travellers returning home from outside the country including the United States, must self isolate for 14 days. Please refer to our Public Health Officer Dr. Henry's recommendations. If you are ill, please self isolate for 14 days. If you do not follow these recommendations you are putting your family, your friends and our community at risk. Please: Practice social distancing and wash your hands. All gatherings over 50 are now banned. Check on your neighbour. If they are self isolating or elderly and fearful of going out, they may need help with groceries or picking up prescriptions. Remain connected with loved ones by phone or other means. Call Public Health on Salt Sprin…

While we continue to do well in the Vancouver Island Health Authority with no new cases reported, our level of concern about the COVID 19 outbreak has been raised by our proximity to a major outbreak south of the border. Just like a wildfire, it only helps if fire breaks are in place before the fire. So right now is the time to create our fire break. Now is the time to act to slow COVID-19 spread. So please: Practice social distancing right now. This includes limiting discretionary, non-essential group activities or exposures regardless of size. Follow all recommendations regarding self isolation. Do NOT present to the hospital with minor ailments. DO play outside and engage in outdoor activities while avoiding physical contact. DO talk to your employer about working from home starting as soon as possible. Physician clinics on the Island are working to adapt to this rapidly changing situation and you can expect changes that will limit in-person visits so as …

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 mor…

COVID-19 Testing recommended for:  SYMPTOMATIC patients with respiratory symptoms consistent with COVID-19 including fever, cough, malaise/fatigue, rhinorrhoea, 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: 1)     Confirmed high risk contact* with a known COVID-19 case 2)     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) 3)     Household contact of a ill international traveller within 14 days of the traveller’s arrival** 4)     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., intima…

An important message from your Salt Spring Island Medical Team. While we are currently at low risk on Salt Spring and as of today, have no diagnosed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19), 65% of our population is vulnerable. So now’s the time to take preventive measures. We want to be as proactive as possible to protect everyone, and to that end, strongly recommend the following: 1. Gatherings/meetings and community events Consider cancelling all regular gatherings/meetings and postpone any planned major community events for the next two months (until mid-May). Wherever possible, replace gatherings/meetings with teleconferences and on-line meetings or other options that don’t involve groups of people confined in small spaces. 2. Older members of our community and those with weakened immune systems or underlying medical conditions Avoid attending any community gatherings. Don’t fly or take any cruises for the next two months. 3. Businesses and Community Ven…