COVID-19

COVID-19: BC Ferries Suspends Food, Retail and Baggage Services - March 19, 2020 - 6:10 PM

In continued support of social distancing, BC Ferries is suspending all food services onboard our ships and at our terminals effective March 19, 2020 starting at approximately 3:00 pm until further notice, with the exception of our northern routes, which will suspend food services effective March 20, 2020. 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. Vending machines are still available. Onboard amenities including Passages Gift Shop, SeaWest Lounge, Kids Zone play area and Video Zone arcade remain closed until further notice. To reduce the spread of infectious disease including COVID-19, baggage service is currently unavailable on our major routes. Our Northern vessels will continue to offer baggage service until further notice. BC Ferries apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. We will continue to monitor the sit…

COVID-19: Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association - Current Update - March 19th, 2020 - 1:00 PM

COVID-19 is in all of our communities including our Gulf Island communities. We are all part of this pandemic. BC 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. 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 BC we are not offering general access to testing. Following the protocols established by our Medical Health Officer, we are currently only testing healthcare workers, crit…

COVID-19: Salt Spring Island Emergency Program - Updates - March 18, 2020 - 12:45 PM

The Salt Spring Island Emergency Program, along with the CRD Emergency Operation Centre in Victoria held a conference call with major stakeholders on Salt Spring to discuss the ongoing developments around COVID-19 so that we can provide a coordinated response and message. These communications will continue and updates will be provided as warranted. As this is a Public Health Issue, the medical teams of Island Health, our health clinics and health providers and Lady Minto Hospital are providing the lead on this. They were some of the many organizations participating in the call. The Emergency Program is supporting the Health Agencies where we are able. Many people on the island have questions and there has been a significant increase in inquiries. The March 17, 2020 release of the Salt Spring Island GP's and Hospital Medical Staff Association statement says: "With the spread of cases associated with a dental conference in Vancouver in early March, as well as the outbr…

COVID-19: Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association - Current Update - March 18th, 2020 - 1:06 PM

As of today, we are not aware of any definite COVID cases on Salt Spring. The Medical Health Officer keeps us informed on a regular basis. However, given the emergence of cases elsewhere on Vancouver Island, we are assuming that there are cases in our community and are acting accordingly. We will not be sharing information about individual cases (see point 5). If you have any symptoms of a cold or respiratory illness, assume you are infectious and stay at home and self isolate for 14 days. DO come to the hospital if you are having trouble breathing or need medical assistance, or for any other emergency problems your GP can’t handle. Do NOT come to the hospital for minor ailments, doctor’s notes, or prescriptions. This is really helping to keep the emergency room ready to treat emergencies. Thank you so much for your help. Your doctors are working from their offices or remotely from home and offering phone consultations. Please phone your doctors’ office for detail…

COVID-19: SD64 Suspension Of In-Class Instruction - March 18th, 2020 - 12:06 PM

To the students, staff and families of Gulf Islands School District, Yesterday, the provincial government announced that, effective immediately, in-class instruction for B.C.’s K to 12 learners is suspended indefinitely. This temporary measure, to protect students, staff and the public against the spread of COVID-19, was made in consultation with school districts, stakeholders and the Ministry of Health, and under the direction of the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry. Minister of Education Rob Fleming made the following declarations: Districts will ensure continuity of educational services as provided for under the School Act. Final grades will be issued for all K to 12 students in British Columbia. All students who are eligible to graduate will graduate this year as expected. Although some graduation assessments will be postponed, students who are on track to graduate will do so. The Ministry of Education is working with post-secondary institutio…

COVID-19: Changes to Visitor Restrictions at Island Health Facilities - March 17th, 2020 - 4:09 PM

Island Health is working in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) to respond to COVID-19. The situation is evolving quickly and our strategies are evolving to keep people in the communities we serve safe.

This is an update to the information bulletin regarding visitor restrictions issued on March 16, 2020.

To keep our patients, families and staff safe and in keeping with the Provincial Health Officer’s recommendations for social distancing, Island Health is limiting the number of visitors per day entering our buildings, effective immediately.

Until further notice, the following updated visitor restrictions are in place:

Hospital Emergency Departments, Intensive Care/Critical Care areas: ONE adult caregiver/support person, per day Perinatal Unit: ONE adult caregiver/support person, per day…

COVID-19: Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association - Current Update - March 17th, 2020 - 2:18 PM

Cases of COVID-19 continue to go up in Canada and in our health authority as predicted. With the spread of cases associated with a dental conference in Vancouver in early March, as well as the outbreak in Washington state, the reality is that this virus is likely now in our community, although no cases have been confirmed. While the local team at Lady Minto has been working diligently in conjunction with the Health Authority and Province to prepare, it is now up to each individual to do their part. So please: 1. If you have any symptoms of a cold or respiratory illness, assume you are infectious and stay at home and self isolate for 14 days. 2. DO come to the hospital if you are having trouble breathing or need medical assistance. 3. Do NOT come to the hospital for minor ailments, doctor’s notes, or prescriptions. 4. If you want a ventilator to be available for your mother, grandfather, niece, friend … you must do your part to slow this virus down now by limiting …

COVID-19: BC Ferries to Allow Passengers on Closed Car Decks Temporarily - March 17th, 2020 - 11:15 AM

Starting today, BC Ferries will allow customers to remain in their vehicles on the enclosed car deck during the COVID-19 situation, to help support social distancing and self-isolation. Editorial Note: Read all official, current and ongoing updates on COVID-19 specifically related to Salt Spring Island on the Salt Spring Exchange under our News > 'Special Alert: COVID-19' News section.

COVID-19: BC Self Assessment Tool

COVID-19 BC Self Assessment Tool - March 17, 2020 7:30 am BC’s self-assessment tool for #COVID19 is now online and will help determine if you need further assessment or testing. You can complete this assessment for yourself, or on behalf of someone else, if they are unable to. https://covid19.thrive.health/ Editorial Note: Read all official, current and ongoing updates on COVID-19 specifically related to Salt Spring Island on the Salt Spring Exchange under our News > 'Special Alert: COVID-19' News section.

COVID-19: Salt Spring Island Community Market is Cancelled - March 16th, 2020 - 1:30 PM

As directed by the Provincial Medical Health Officer, any events that bring more than 50 people closely together will be cancelled. Other activities that result in close contact or are operated in confined spaces where social distancing is unlikely to be maintained will be cancelled until further notice. As of March 16, 2020, this includes: classes and programs in smaller community halls workshops and training events in small rooms or facilities family workshops and guided tours as well as public tours at the Hartland landfill and the Learning Centre Regional Parks education and outreach events are cancelled until the end of March Salt Spring Island Community Market is cancelled as it is a large gathering place for both tourists and locals As the CRD operates numerous facilities and programs, service providers will be posting updated information regularly. Please go to www.crd.bc.ca/covid for regular updates on programs and events that have been cance…

COVID-19: Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association - Current Update - March 16th, 2020

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…

COVID-19: Visitor Restrictions in Place At Island Health Facilities/Outpatient Clinics

Island Health is working in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) to respond to COVID-19. While there are confirmed cases in the province, the risk to British Columbians and Vancouver Islanders remains low.

To keep our patients, families and staff safe and in keeping with the Provincial Health Officer’s recommendations for social distancing, Island Health is limiting the number of visitors entering our buildings, effective immediately.

Until further notice, the following visitor restrictions are in place:

Hospital Emergency Departments, Intensive Care/Critical Care areas: ONE adult caregiver/support person Perinatal Unit: ONE adult caregiver/support person Neonatal ICU: TWO adult caregivers/support persons Inpatient Pediatric and Adult Areas (with routine precautions in place): TWO adult caregivers/support persons …

COVID-19: Food Bank is Open Tuesdays - March 16th, 2020

Salt Spring Island Community Services is committed to best practices to safeguard from COVID-19. We also recognize the hardship and potential loss of income for some people. The Food Bank will be open on Tuesday as usual in an altered format whereby orders and pickup will be outdoors and choices will be restricted. The ‘Let’s Do Brunch’ Tuesday meal program is cancelled and will not be operating for the next 2 weeks at least. Showers and laundry facilities will be available for people at the Outreach Centre onsite in a limited fashion and with no gathering of people. For people who are not able to make it to the Food Bank on Tuesdays, a limited number of pre-filled food bags are available at the main building at 268 Fulford-Ganges. We will continue to update as things evolve. SSICS Editorial Note: Read all official, current and ongoing updates on COVID-19 specifically related to Salt Spring Island on the Salt Spring Exchange under our News > 'Special Ale…

COVID-19: How to Help Local Businesses Through the Pandemic

Social distancing, cancelled events, self-isolation,and working from home are supposed to help “lower the curve” of the spread of COVID-19, but it is likely to leave our local small businesses suffering. Without discounting the importance of public health and safety, it is also important to recognize that small businesses are going to need help to get through the pandemic. Unfortunately, the virus hits us at a tough time for business on Salt Spring, especially those that depend on the seasonal influx of visitors. Businesses are typically ramping up to welcome visitors to the island, whereas now they are trying to figure out how to keep their staff employed, pay rent, keep the lights on and their doors open. The Federal Governments announced a Small and Medium Business aid package, however we are unsure what that will look like for local businesses. In turn, individuals can definitely do their part. Here are a few things we can all do to get our small business through t…

COVID-19: Heritage Place - Visitation is Now limited to “Essential Visitors” - March 16th, 2020

Heritage Place is doing everything we can to protect the health and safety of our residents, their families and friends, and our employees, volunteers, suppliers and service providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have now put our full pandemic plan into action for COVID-19. Our dedicated employees are taking the necessary preventive precautions while continuing to provide compassionate, high quality care. With recent events related to COVID-19, Heritage Place is taking additional actions to prevent the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) into our Assisted Living homes and retirement residences. Visitation is now limited to “Essential Visitors” In order to ensure a safe and secure environment for residents, we will only allow essential visitors until further notice. We will reevaluate this measure in the coming weeks. We identify essential visitors as those who have a resident who is dying or very ill. These visitors must be actively screened. Those who fail t…

COVID-19: Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association - Current Update - March 15, 2020

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: Social Distancing and Flatten the Curve - March 14, 2020 5:00 PM

The Salt Spring Island Emergency Program would like to stress the importance of Social Distancing at this time as well as Self Isolation. Social distancing is important for all people to slow the spread of COVID-19. Self isolation is important especially for all who have travelled out of the country as well as those at higher risk - the senior population or anyone with compromised immune systems or other serious health issues. ========= Social Distancing: “The key message here is to act, and act fast..... approaching the emergency with a public health mindset and maintaining social distance is how we can all do our part to flatten the curve.” “...the idea of flattening the curve is that we need to take proactive steps to control the trajectory of this epidemic,” Bergstrom said. “If too many people are infected at the same time, we will overload our hospital capacity.” From Public Health Canada Social distancing Social distancing measures are approaches t…

COVID-19: Watch Salt Spring Forum Discussion on COVID-19 Video

Salt Spring Forum Discussion on COVID-19 - Posted March 14, 2020 12:15 pm Here is the conversation from last night’s presentation (without audience) from the Salt Spring Forum. The video presentation features Dr. Kevin Patterson and Aletha Humphreys. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; } Editorial Note: Read all official, current and ongoing updates on COVID-19 specifically related to Salt Spring Island on the Salt Spring Exchange under our News > 'Special Alert: COVID-19' News section.

COVID-19: Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association - Current Update - March 14, 2020

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: Lady Minto Hospital Medical Staff Association - Testing Guidelines - March 13, 2020

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…

COVID-19: Islands Trust Response to Coronavirus

We understand many people in island communities have concerns about coronavirus (COVID-19). Islands Trust is actively monitoring coronavirus information and will adjust our operations as needed to respond to evolving information from health authorities and government agencies. Islands Trust is working to be part of the solution by taking precautionary measures and providing trusted COVID-19 information. The information provided below does not indicate additional risks in island communities. Meeting and Event Cancellations We have postponed the upcoming screenings of Dust n’ Bones on Denman, Galiano and Salt Spring Islands. We will consider cancellation of local trust committee and other business meetings based on local circumstances and recommendations from public health officials. In the meantime, meetings will be conducted in compliance with the Provincial Health Officer's prevention recommendations including social distancing and the avoidance of person-to-person c…