Health & Wellness | Page 4 of 12 | Salt Spring Exchange

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: 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: Adventures in Emergency Preparedness and Lessons from Recent Travel in Rome

Hello Salt Spring. This is an open letter to my local emergency preparedness POD that I would like share with our entire community. Dear Pod, Mark and I are in day four of home-isolation after arriving from Italy. “In research published Monday online in the academic medical journal Annals of Internal Medicine, scientists calculated that the median incubation period of the virus is 5.1 days. All told, about 97.5% of those who develop symptoms will do so within 11.5 days of exposure, the scientists said.”* So far so good. As we flew out of Rome on two wings and a litany of prayers, Bryan and Brian filled our fridge with a week of supplies. Nestled between the veggies and coffee cream were two days of delicious, nutritious homemade food. They also dropped our car off in Fulford Harbour so we wouldn’t potentially risk contaminating anyone by picking us up. You gents are the best. Others also helped us stock up; all of us doing our bit to ‘flatten the curve’. You are all…

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: BC Farmers’ Markets Guidance

BC Farmers’ Markets (BCAFM) will continue to monitor COVID-19, and update its member farmers’ markets across BC on this issue. We also encourage markets to be proactive and monitor this issue independently. As always, maintaining the health and safety of market organizers, vendors and shoppers is a top priority for all of us. BC Farmers’ Markets Context As our markets operate exclusively in British Columbia, BCAFM will take cues and guidance on COVID-19 from the most relevant sources including the Province of BC and the Federal Government of Canada. The vast majority of BCAFM member markets will launch the 2020 season beginning this May onwards, however, there are number of markets currently operating today during the shoulder season. Things are shifting day by day and we all need to be proactive now and prepare for what could be a more challenging farmers market season. Important Things to Know BC Farmers’ Markets are first and foremost food retail establis…

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…

COVID-19: Coronavirus Precautions on Salt Spring Island - March 12th, 2020

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…

COVID-19: SD64 Superintendent to Families Regarding

Dear parents, caregivers, and families of Gulf Islands School District, With Spring Break upon us, I would like to take this opportunity to address concerns related to novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and procedures to help us all navigate this complex and rapidly changing situation. Yesterday, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus outbreak to be a global pandemic. Please know that School District 64 is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and is operating under the guidance and recommendation of our Provincial Health Office, the Ministries of Health and Education, and the Government of Canada. To assist school districts in ensuring the safety of students and staff, the following legislation provides direction and authority for action: Federal Government The Quarantine Act provides the authority for Border Services to screen travelers entering/returning to Canada and to impose quarantine as necessary. Provincial Government Th…

Fulford Hall Association Benefits from 100 Men Who Care Donation

What a successful and fun evening we all enjoyed tonight. The second meeting of the 100 Men Who Care organization was held at Harbour House Hotel. Within less than hour over $10,500 was raised for the winning charity. The winner chosen by the membership at the March 4 meeting was the Fulford Hall Community Association. Prior to the voting and cheque presentation, members had an opportunity to network. This was an evening of giving, both to ourselves and to our vibrant Island community.

Salt Spring Laundromat Has a New Home

Good news! The Wagon Wheel Housing Society is happy to announce that they have signed the lease for the Community Laundromat initiative. The home for the Laundromat is 162 – 150 Fulford-Ganges Road. We would like to thank the property management and owners of Creekside, who have been very supportive and helpful. The Laundromat is a non-profit, community oriented (social enterprise) one at that. It will also be a soap exchange - a place where you can bring your empty soap, shampoo and cleaning product bottles and refill them with green products at a great price. The completed project will also include a wheelchair accessible shower. Salt Spring has not had public laundry services since February 2016! THAT’S 4 YEARS FOLKS!! The Wagon Wheel society has spent much time and energy into looking at a variety of options, including off-grid and mobile alternatives, and we are now confident that this will be the best and most practical solution to meet our community’s needs. …

Bulk Carrier 'Freighters' Idling Around Salt Spring - Initiative to Reduce Ocean Acidification

Bulk carriers around Salt Spring Island, or also called freighters, are not resting silently when at anchor. Large on-board diesel generators produce massive amounts of greenhouse gases, even if these ships are not moving and their main engine is not turned on. A new report submitted to the Salt Spring Island Climate Action Council estimates that a single bulk carrier produces about 10 tonnes of CO2 and other greenhouse gases per day. Consider how this may cancel out many of our local community efforts to reduce greenhouse gases. For example, one single day of one bulk carrier idling at anchor equals: 10 years of recycling by a family of three; Sacrificing one annual return flight Vancouver-London for 10 years; Driving an electrical vehicle instead of a standard vehicle for 5 years. But climate heating is not the only issue. CO2 and other gases such as NO2 or SO2 are highly reactive when they come in contact with water and they form an acidic solution. In ra…

Salt Spring Foundation Aims to Strengthen Local Charities

For 36 years the Salt Spring Island Foundation has been supporting the charities that make our island a caring community. Thanks to many generous donors, over 550 grants have been awarded to over 85 local charitable organizations, totalling over $3.3 million. Foundation grants have supported many areas of need and many types of projects and programs, from capital improvements to services and events that engage and assist community members. Other grants have funded projects that aim to strengthen the organizations themselves and help them to better fulfill their mission. This year the Foundation will be putting even more emphasis on strengthening our charities, committing $25,000 to projects that aim to build the capacity of qualified local non-profits. Of that amount, $15,000 will be awarded during the spring grants cycle. Examples of capacity-building activities could include strategic planning, technology upgrades, operational improvements, board development, improvin…

Before and After: New Nature Based Playground Opens in Centennial Park

The new Centennial Park Playground is now open. Additional elements including the iconic rocking horse, benches, water fountain, and landscaping will be completed in the spring of 2020. The berm, slide and wooden stepping stones are closed for now to allow settling. Park Master Planning Community Engagement Before Photos During Construction After Partial Completion - Final Completion in Spring 2020

New Affordable Homes for Seniors Coming to Salt Spring Island

Seniors with low to middle incomes will soon benefit from 22 new affordable rental homes, as construction begins on the expansion of Croftonbrook. "Seniors deserve to have safe and affordable housing, close to their friends and loved ones, said Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo, on behalf of Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Thanks to the partners who have worked to give seniors a good place to call home, our elders can stay in their community. Located at 132 Corbett Rd., Phase 2 of the development will provide 10 studio units and 12 one-bedroom units for seniors. This is such a wonderful announcement, and I raise my hands to everyone who helped make it happen,said Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands. With more affordable, accessible homes that allow seniors to stay on Salt Spring, our community is made richer and more vibrant. The safety and security of a comfortable home is a human right and I am grateful we have begun to chip…