B.C.’s COVID-19 testing strategy has been expanded to include anyone with cold, influenza or COVID-19-like symptoms, however mild.

While testing has expanded, not everyone needs a test. COVID-19 testing is not recommended for people without symptoms.

The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses including the flu and common cold. They include:

Fever chills cough shortness of breath sore throat painful swallowing stuffy or runny nose loss of sense of smell headache muscle aches fatigue loss of appetite

At this time, any physician or nurse practitioner can order a test for a patient with cold, influenza or COVID-19-like symptoms based on their clinical judgment.

If you do not have a primary care provider, please call Island Health’s Call Centre at 1-844-9…

Thank You, Salt Spring! – We Counted on You – and You Came Through! A big island thank you to everyone who has contributed to COVID-19 Relief during this unprecedented time. Through your generosity, we have raised $125,000 to help Lady Minto Hospital cope with this pandemic. To date, your donations have been used to provide: Hospital Scrubs C-Can container for COVID supplies Personal Protective Equipment for community medical staff and first responders The hospital is now well positioned to respond to immediate, short-term and longer-term needs, should this emergency situation continue for some time. We encourage you to continue to share your appreciation for Lady Minto Hospital staff. Your comments are very much appreciated. Look for more in-depth stories about the difference your contributions have made, in the next issue of the Minto Messenger coming soon! On behalf of the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation, thank you and stay safe. You made a …

Plans are being made to open up businesses and relax some of the restrictive measures that we have all been living with. This is an exciting, but also risky and scary time, and there are a few things to remember. We are incredibly lucky on Salt Spring to have more space than city dwellers to get outside while still maintaining at least 2 meters’ distance from others. However, as businesses open, all of us may find ourselves in situations where it is difficult to keep the appropriate distance. For this reason, masks are another tool we can use to help reduce spread. Even more important will be the need for all of us to be vigilant about our health and not go to work or go out if we are ill. If you develop any new respiratory symptoms - fever, cough or difficulty breathing - you must go home and book an appointment to have yourself tested for the novel coronavirus. Employers must not only allow workers to stay home when ill, but support them to do so. Our culture of going…

We would like to take a moment to update you on what is happening at the residential homes and what we are doing to keep our Residents safe during these trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic. As you are no doubt aware, the coronavirus is a particular threat to seniors, especially those living in long term care homes, and is now a top concern in Canada. We want to assure you that Greenwoods/Braehaven are operating safely through this threat. Staff and management are working closely with Island Health to implement the evolving directives for the care of the Residents.  The team continues to adapt to the changing protocols and we are seeing the concept of “continuous quality improvement” in action and at an accelerated pace.  Our excellent staff are providing extra care and cleaning and are doing their best to maintain an atmosphere of calm and normalcy in the residences. An Activity Team is providing programs for the Residents seven days a week.  Currently, there are no cas…

As most people know, there are COVID-19 outbreaks around the province including one on a small Island off the Northern part of Vancouver Island. While BC has done incredibly well under Dr. Henry’s guidance, these outbreaks tell us that the risk is still very real and present. At Lady Minto we are looking at ways to restart endoscopies, minor procedures, and non-urgent lab work while keeping staff and patients safe and minimizing the use of personal protective gear. Please be patient while we work out the best processes for these procedures. As we try to better understand the burden of disease in the community, there is now the opportunity for anyone in the community to self refer for COVID-19 testing. If you have symptoms and feel you should be tested, please call 811 and they will arrange an appointment for you at Lady Minto. Please do not just show up and please understand that the test is meaningless if you do not have symptoms. Please use this resource wisely. Fin…

Our efforts are working to flatten the curve, but international experience shows we cannot let up those efforts without putting many people at risk. Lately, we’ve been looking to the south where people are protesting these guidelines and demanding that the economy be restarted. What we really see are people with a complete disregard for those at risk, particularly for workers who literally put their lives at risk daily to care and provide for others. Most of the population remains susceptible to this virus and so we must proceed cautiously as we attempt to reduce some of the restrictions on our daily life. More testing will allow us to track and contain cases and this will be made available very soon. We will post instructions regarding access to testing in the coming days. Many people have been asking about the use of masks. Cloth masks protect others from the wearer’s droplets. As more and more information becomes available about people without symptoms shedding the virus,…

We continue to do extremely well in BC with very low numbers of COVID cases. This is thanks to everyone following the strategy proposed by our health experts to practice social distancing. That said, there continue to be new cases daily, including in our Health Authority. We seem to be settling into a pattern of a trickling stream of cases rather than a surge, which is good in terms of our health system’s ability to care for everyone. If this pattern continues, we may be able to start opening up some activities. While nothing will be done before our Provincial Health officials give the word, conversations are underway about how to safely re-open various community and hospital activities. Numerous businesses and individuals have been sending treats and snacks to the staff at Lady Minto. We cannot thank you enough for your generosity and caring at this time. All the banging of pots at 7:00pm, the gifts and well wishes, really lift our spirits. Thank you so much.

There is not much new to report today, which is wonderful. This is a case where boring is good. Unfortunately, all of us need to continue with what we are doing - social distancing and hand washing in particular.  As the days and weeks go by, new technologies are starting to emerge for diagnosing the virus, new treatments are being trialled, and vaccines tested. Canada is sourcing, purchasing, and ensuring arrival of personal protective gear for those who need it. All of this means fewer deaths. While we appreciate all the thanks being sent our way, we also want to thank everyone in the community who is doing their part. Businesses have stepped up to ensure their customers can be safe, and workers put themselves on the front line to make sure we all have access to groceries and other essentials. Please continue to enjoy the beautiful weather responsibly.

As we go into what looks like a gorgeous long weekend, the medical staff have a few concerns. Please celebrate virtually. It is imperative that we all continue to practice social distancing over the long weekend and not be lulled into a false sense of security. We would like to thank the Farmer's Market Society for making the difficult decision to postpone opening of the market until after the long weekend, so as not to send a contradictory message. The Farmer’s Market will open, as it is an essential service, but at a more suitable time. We are aware that BC Parks have closed. If you have private outdoor space, please stay there. If you need to go outside and have no yard, there are more than 20 other public spaces to visit on Salt Spring, listed here A reminder that the Provincial Medical Health Officer will not be naming individual  communities with positive tests for Covid-19. There is a risk of providing a false sense of security if a community is not named a…

Island Health wishes to remind everyone on Vancouver Island that if you are experiencing a medical emergency, we are ready to provide the care you need. As you are likely aware, Island Health, like all health authorities in B.C., has taken significant steps to reduce occupancy in our hospitals to ensure we are best positioned to respond to COVID-19. The Provincial Health Officer has been clear that the majority of people experiencing COVID-19 or similar symptoms can manage them comfortably at home. We are incredibly thankful to the people of Vancouver Island who have heeded our call to avoid unnecessary trips to our emergency departments. With that said, it is important that people who do require immediate care continue to seek it out. If you are experiencing symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath or serious abdominal pain, we want you to reach out for help. Call 811 for advice, call 911 or come to an emergency department if you believe you have an emergency iss…

To support community health and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Capital Regional District (CRD) is calling for visitors to CRD regional and electoral area parks to make the decision to choose a park close to their home and demonstrate responsible use in order for parks to remain open. Park status is being assessed daily. Visitors must adhere to the orders and recommendations of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) to stay local and ensure social distancing. Should these orders or recommendations not be maintained by park visitors, there could be restricted access or use.

The PHO recommendations and orders include keeping at least two metres of distance between yourself and others and not gathering in groups. Staff have observed that the vast majority of parks visitors are adhering to social distancing protocol. However, there are some areas where social distancing isn’t being practiced. In particular, cyclists an…

BC Parks is immediately closing all provincial parks in response to the widespread call for increased action to address COVID-19. This includes Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park, Ruckle Provincial Park, Mount Maxwell Provincial Park and Mount Erskine Provincial Park on Salt Spring Island. The closure responds to both the federal and provincial directives that people should stay close to home to reduce COVID-19 transmission risk. This temporary measure means people should not be going to provincial parks until further notice. “Because physical distancing works, it is critical that we take every action needed to restrict the spread of COVID-19. This applies to British Columbians and out-of-province visitors who were planning to visit or stay at our provincial parks. The message is clear: stay home, avoid travel, do not put yourself or others at risk,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “I understand and share the love people in British Co…

Your Words of Support Will Mean So Much - While the rest of us shelter at home, brave women and men put themselves in harm’s way everyday to help us when we need it most. These are the first responders, the doctors, nurses, lab and x-ray technicians, the social workers, home care workers, housekeeping, laundry and dietary staff, the facilities management team, and all the support people behind the scenes at Lady Minto Hospital. Knowing our community hospital is there for us makes a big difference in these uncertain times. Know that you can return the favour by showing your support for these dedicated front-line workers. Your appreciation will lighten their burden. Please share your messages of encouragement and thanks at ladymintofoundation.com/share-your-appreciation

The number of COVID-19 cases in the Vancouver Island Health Authority has remained stable for some days now. This means physical distancing measures are working. It also means that those who need hospital care or a ventilator have access to them. At some point we may be able to ease up on some of the measures but that time is NOT YET. We all must continue to do our part. As your health care team we have been working for many weeks now with the health authority and province on contingency plans should there be an outbreak of COVID-19 on Salt Spring or in any rural community. While plans are in place to address transport needs, it is clear that any rural community could easily and quickly exhaust its resources. Therefore, it is imperative that with the nice weather arriving and a long weekend approaching, each of us stresses to friends and family NOT to visit. Please celebrate and remain connected virtually. It seems that there are more questions than answers about keepi…

The Salt Spring Community Health Society (SSCHS) and the Salt Spring Chapter – Rural and Remote Division of Family Practice (SSC-RRDFP) are pleased to announce joint funding by the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation and Salt Spring Island Foundation to manufacture and distribute re-usable face shields and isolation gowns as well as alcohol sanitizer to on-island physicians and health care workers, first responders, and other highly exposed community workers. “This is an exciting example of how four local organizations can partner to work in the best interests of the community, and is the culmination of many, many hours spent by highly-skilled and creative professionals and volunteers to leverage the considerable open-source and maker movement,” said Jennifer Williams, President, SSCHS. This equipment will protect physicians in their community practices, their staff, as well as first responders and community workers who serve vulnerable populations, among others. This, in turn…

We all continue to follow the daily updates from the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry and the Minister of Health, Adrian Dix, and hope for good news. So far, physical distancing seems to be working in our Health Authority and in BC as a whole. The increase in the number of new cases of COVID-19 has not been as rapid or as extensive as it might have been, and this is undoubtedly due to the extensive measures in place to stop the spread between individuals and within the community. The challenge will be to continue to physically distance, practice excellent hand hygiene, and avoid touching our faces in the days, weeks and months ahead. We need to remember that the virus does not move, but rather people move the virus. This means that staying at home in our community is very important as a way to stop transmission. If you need to travel to a different community, you should be following all of the recommended precautions strictly. Similarly, if you know of people wh…

Task Force Forms to Provide Resilient Local Planning to COVID-19 - To further support the Salt Spring community during COVID-19 a newly formed coordination team, the Business and Farm Response & Recovery Task Force, has come together representing key farm and business stakeholders. Its goal is to ensure island-wide coordination and address the significant current and anticipated impacts to Salt Spring Island as a result of COVID-19. Island residents require coordinated economic and community services support to respond to the unique local economic consequences of this crisis. Laura Patrick, Task Force Chair, and SSI Trustee, says the farm and business response action plan is underway, “Planning for recovery now, by collaborating, coordinating and instituting protective measures, will ensure that we are able to sustain and support our community through this crisis.” Anne Macey, co-facilitating work on the Agriculture Response Plan as part of this overall initiative, adds,“ Th…