Despite appeals from the broader community, and our local Salt Spring RCMP detachment, a group of 30-40 Salt Springers gathered in Centennial Park today for 'World Wide Rally for Freedom' day. The demonstration occured on the same day as in other communities with organizers calling for the immediate end to any, and all, COVID-19 related restrictions. Participants also promoted an end to masks, physical distancing and government vaccine programs. Global organizers of the gatherings are known to be closely affiliated with the QAnon conspiracy movement whose members are also calling for an immediate re-opening of all businesses, schools, cafes and restaurants. The local gathering here on Salt Spring featured numerous community members who have been outspoken critics of masks, vaccines and personal freedom restrictions in local, online discussion boards. They oppose the restrictions that have been asked of all residents of Salt Spring Island and B.C., as well as most other pa…

More than 300,000 front-line workers, including first responders, grocery store employees, and teachers and child care workers, will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations over the coming weeks as the Province’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan moves forward ahead of schedule. “We know how challenging this pandemic has been on our front-line workers,” said Premier John Horgan. “Many of these people have come to work throughout this pandemic, continuing to teach and care for our children, stock the shelves of our local grocery store and keep our communities safe. By immunizing these front-line workers, we are making workplaces and communities throughout our province safer.” Beginning in April, people in priority groups identified by public health and the COVID-19 Workplace Task Group will start to receive their first dose of the AstraZeneca/SII COVISHIELD (AZ/SII) vaccine. These groups include: first responders (police, firefighters, emergency transport); K-12 educational…

Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer (PHO), and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the COVID-19 response in British Columbia: Today, we are reporting 569 new cases, including three epi-linked cases, for a total of 86,219 cases in British Columbia. There are 4,912 active cases of COVID-19 in the province with 8,989 people under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases. A further 79,829 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 244 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 68 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation. Today’s modelling shows us how the COVID-19 pandemic has progressed in the province over the past year. What we have seen very clearly is no one is immune to the virus or the impacts that come with it. The pandemic is still very much with us. …

Island Health is excited to share information about the 19 community clinics where more than 40,000 eligible residents will receive their first COVID-19 immunization over the next month. When planning community clinic locations, Island Health focused on key principles including: Ease of access - in more urban areas we strived to establish a travel time of approximately no more than 15 minutes; Accessible by individuals with mobility challenges, including but not limited to wheelchair and walker access; On or close to major transportation routes and bus routes; The availability of functional clinic space and space to support appropriate physical distancing. Island Health is also working closely with Indigenous partners to help support a culturally safe experience for Indigenous people in all clinics. Immunizations will also be offered at Friendship Centres, including in Port Hardy, Victoria and Port Alberni. Administrators with Salt Spring Island Health Ce…

Island Health authority has revealed the locations of more than a dozen upcoming COVID-19 vaccine clinics in the region. Island Health says it will continue to update the list as changes are required. British Columbia will begin rolling out its COVID-19 mass vaccination program in full next week, and will allow seniors to begin booking their immunization appointments on March 8. Here is Island Health’s most up-to-date list of vaccine locations: Campbell River - Campbell River Community Centre (401 11 Ave) Comox - CFB Comox - Glacier Gardens Arena (1399 Military Row) Duncan - Cowichan Community Centre (2687 James St) Esquimalt - Archie Browning Sports Centre (1151 Esquimalt Rd) Langford - Eagle Ridge Arena (1089 Langford Pkwy) Nanaimo - Beban Park (2300 Bowen Rd) Nanaimo - Cedar Community Hall (2388 Cedar Rd) Port Alberni - Alberni Athletic Hall (3727 Roger St) Port Hardy - Port Hardy Health Unit (7070 Market St) Port McNeill - Port McNei…

More than 400,000 people in British Columbia will be immunized from March to early April as the Province moves into Phase 2 of the largest immunization rollout in B.C.’s history. “At every step of the way, we are putting the health and safety of British Columbians first,” said Premier John Horgan. “B.C. was one of the first provinces to lay out our vaccine plan, and now we’re moving to Phase 2 to reach even more of our seniors and Elders. We’re getting vaccine into arms as fast as we can given early supply delays from manufacturers, and we’re seeing it start to make a difference for people and their communities throughout our province.” Those in Phase 2 receiving their first vaccine dose in March and early April include: seniors and high-risk people residing in independent living and seniors’ supportive housing (including staff); home-care support clients and staff; Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) peoples born in or before 1956 (65 years and older); an…

Island Health is reminding people to show your family and friends that you care by not giving COVID-19 the opportunity to spread this long weekend. We wish to acknowledge everyone throughout the Island Health region who has and continues to make difficult sacrifices during this global pandemic. We understand the urge to gather with loved ones, especially on Family Day, however even small gatherings present a significant risk. Contact tracing investigations continue to show that COVID-19 is spreading on Vancouver Island in places and situations where people gather. Social interaction and getting together with others in person and online is important to our wellbeing. There are many options to do so safely. The outdoors has been a refuge for many during the pandemic, and despite the winter weather expected on Vancouver Island this weekend we encourage you to safely take advantage of the many outdoor recreation opportunities within your local community. You can go for a w…

British Columbians are a step closer to receiving their COVID-19 immunizations, with additional details and timelines released for the largest and most complex immunization plan to ever roll out in B.C. Premier John Horgan; Adrian Dix, Minister of Health; Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer; and Dr. Penny Ballem, executive lead for B.C.’s immunization efforts; announced details of the next phases in B.C.’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan. The plan will see approximately 7.4 million doses of vaccine administered to every British Columbian who is eligible to receive it between April and the end of September. “The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged us all in extremely difficult ways,” Premier Horgan said. “Together, we have faced this pandemic with strength, courage and compassion, and we are starting to feel optimistic that, one day, COVID-19 will be in our rear view. At every step, our plan puts the health and safety of our most vulnerable people at the centre, and when i…

As you will have heard on the news, vaccinations against COVID-19 are now underway in BC, and that includes Salt Spring Island. Residents of our care facilities have received vaccinations and front line health care workers are currently being vaccinated. This offers us a ray of hope that we are starting to see the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. The provincial government has laid out a strategy and timeline for vaccinations based on priority populations and risk groups with the dual aim of reducing the risk of community spread of the virus and ultimately providing immunity to all individuals who want to be vaccinated. Information on the provincial strategy for vaccine rollout, of which Island Health is a participant, can be found online. Please be advised that the COVID-19 vaccine is not available for everyone at this time. The first doses are being provided to those most at risk, starting with elderly residents in long-term care facilities and staff who care for them, as well…

Island Health is administering COVID-19 immunizations to health care workers in long-term care in the central and north Vancouver Island regions beginning today. This week, Island Health received an additional 3,900 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, allowing us to expand our immunization clinics outside of the greater Victoria area. Clinics will be held in Nanaimo and Campbell River, with care, support, and medical staff who work or volunteer in long-term care being eligible to receive the vaccine. Eligible individuals will receive direct communication from Island Health on how to book an appointment. “Our number one goal throughout this pandemic has been to protect our residents,” said Sharron Traub, Manager of Dufferin Place long-term care home in Nanaimo. “Providing the vaccine to frontline health care workers in long-term care is a critical line of defence to keep this virus out, and an important show of support for those caring for and protecting some of the most vulnerab…

Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer (PHO), and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following joint statement announcing the first confirmed case of a person in British Columbia infected with the COVID-19 variant first identified in the United Kingdom: “B.C. has identified the first case of a person in B.C. infected with the COVID-19 U.K. variant. The individual, who resides in the Island Health region, returned to B.C. from the U.K. on flight AC855 on Dec. 15, 2020, developed symptoms while in quarantine and was immediately tested. Testing confirmed the positive diagnosis on Dec. 19, 2020; a small number of close contacts have been isolated and public health is following up with them daily. “The variant strain was detected by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) Public Health Laboratory in its review of all isolates from people who had recently returned from travel to the U.K. Whole genome sequencing at the BCCDC identified this as the same…

Island Health administered the first COVID-19 immunizations to health care workers in the Greater Victoria area today. Island Health received 1,950 doses in its initial shipment and immunization clinics will continue throughout the week. Immunization clinics for staff and physicians will expand across Island Health in the coming weeks, as they receive more doses. “In my 25-year career as a Medical Health Officer on the island, I have been privileged to be part of many significant firsts that improve the health of the population,” said Dr. Richard Stanwick, Island Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer. “The launch of our immunization program against COVID-19 this morning will be the most memorable.” The vaccine is an important step in our journey to protect people from the COVID-19 virus, and today is a significant step taken on the island to protect health care workers who work on the frontlines of COVID-19. Dena Scriven, a nursing assistant in long-term care, was t…

The upcoming holiday season is traditionally a time to gather with family and friends. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, other faith based holidays and traditions, or simply enjoy the festivities of the season, we look forward to parties and family dinners and get-togethers. The arrival of a vaccine against COVID-19 is a reason to celebrate as it heralds the beginning of (we hope) the end of the pandemic. However, we can’t allow ourselves to relax our focus on preventing the further spread of COVID. We need to continue to limit our gatherings to our immediate household, forego travel to visit friends, family and relatives, maintain our distance from others and wear a mask in public spaces. These measures are going to continue to be crucial to containing the virus while the immunization campaign moves forward. The Lady Minto Hospital will remain open through the holiday season for Emergency, for lab and medical imaging (X-ray) services, as well as for admissions to…

The first delivery of approximately 4,000 doses of the first approved COVID-19 vaccine has arrived in the province. Preparation is underway to immunize the first British Columbians in the coming days. These initial vaccine doses will be administered to Lower Mainland health-care workers who work in long-term care homes and front-line health-care workers essential to the COVID-19 response. Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health are contacting staff to schedule the initial vaccine appointments. Starting the week of Dec. 21, vaccines will be delivered weekly to all health authorities. Expected timelines will depend on vaccine approval and availability. As vaccines become more available, they will be provided to other priority groups throughout British Columbia. A registration and record system are in development, including a process to register for vaccine access and receive a formal record of immunization. Photos of the first batch of COVID-19 vaccine from Pfiz…

As COVID-19 rates have been surging across BC including in Island Health, we have been so grateful to see our community members adopting the recommendations of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) and other Public Health officials to keep us all safe. Practicing hand hygiene, wearing masks, practicing physical distancing and shrinking our “social bubbles” are all essential actions in controlling the spread of COVID-19 and protecting us all. Thank you! Doing this is not easy at times, and certainly the upcoming winter holidays will be one of the times when the restrictions necessary to control the virus will feel particularly painful. The PHO has been very clear and has issued province-wide restrictions because of the compelling need to control transmission of COVID-19: there are to be no gatherings of any size at your residence with anyone other than your current household and no travel other than travel which is essential for work or health reasons. We love to connect at …

Salt Spring Centre School on Salt Spring Island was closed early today for the holiday break after a confirmed COVID-19 case in the school community. In a letter given to the school by Dee Hoyano, MD, FRCPC, Medical Health Officer with Island Health, the school administrators were informed of the case. The dates of potential exposure in the school community occurred December 3, 2020. The community member is isolating and are being followed by Island Health. The notice does not identify the community member, however school administrator Shauna Klem came forward on social media with the following statement early this evening: "Okay, I am saying it here because I would rather people heard it from me than spread misinformation. Today, I received a positive COVID test result.The kids and I are quarantining. Please wear your mask." ~ Shauna Klem, Salt Spring Centre School She went on to add in a separate note with the Exchange that she "...hoped more people will choose to…

In a letter posted for families with students at Gulf Islands Secondary School (GISS) late this afternoon, school administrators have confirmed that Island Health contact tracing and communication in regard to the confirmed case of COVID-19 reported yesterday of a GISS community member has been completed. "We are pleased to share that Island Health actions (contact tracing and communication) in response to the confirmed case of COVID-19 have been completed. Island Health has identified and notified all close-contacts and has provided them with specific guidance regarding a self-isolation period." "We wanted to share with everyone a common misconception in regard to viral transmission; that it is tied to a place, rather than to an individual. This exposure is not connected to the school itself, as our building and classrooms are regularly cleaned and disinfected. Our school continues to implement the strict protocols and procedures set by the Provincial Health Officer, Wor…

Medical Health Officer Dee Hoyano from the Office of the North Island Medical Health Officer with Island Health, has issued a notice to the parents, guardians, families and staff of Gulf Islands Secondary School (GISS) on Salt Spring Island that a member of the school community has tested positive for COVID-19. The notice indicates that the date of the potential exposure for others at the school as November 26th, 2020. Island Health is completing contact tracing to identify any staff and students that need to self-isolate or self-monitor for symptoms. Note: The first version of this story incorrectly identified the confirmed case was a student, but that has not been confirmed. The confirmed case in this notice was identified simply as a 'member' of the school community.