Updated March 18, 2020:
C&C and Health Staff are advising people to STAY HOME!
To go out only for necessary errands such as food, pharmacy and check with your specialists down island if you have a scheduled appointment to see if they are still taking appointments.
Please contact 811 if you feel you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
Self-Assessment Tool: https://covid19.thrive.health/
If you have been screened by Island Health and have been diagnosed with COVID-19, please inform the Health Centre at 250 949-6625 so that we can monitor your situation and assist if need be.
Monday, March 16, 2020
As we find ourselves in a very alarming and serious situation, we must stay informed and make sure we care for one another during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please check on elders in your family via phone or email, make sure they have all essential toiletries and a stock of food, also do a quick assessment of their health and confirm they have at least one month of prescriptions needed.
Desiree and Maggie are currently delivering care packages to households on-reserve who have small children in their family. If you need a care package and did not receive one, please contact Desiree Hunt.
Please call 811 if you feel you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. If you have recently returned from travel outside the North Island, we advise self-isolation for at least 14 days.
Chief and Council, along with KBO staff & KNDC staff had an emergency meeting today to get the latest updates, review our community emergency plan, discuss next steps in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and measures to make sure community members are taken care of. Update/Outcomes from that meeting to follow.
*Staff members, as this was a larger group of us meeting, please monitor your health and contact 811 should you feel any concerning flu-like symptoms arise.
“Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.”
*Self-Assessment Tool: https://covid19.thrive.health/
At this time, it is necessary to avoid going out as much as possible as this disease is very easily spread. “The main route of transmission is respiratory droplets and close contact. When you sneeze or cough, you send out droplets of fluid from your nose and mouth. Those droplets can carry infections, and when they enter someone else's eyes, nose or mouth, the infection can make them sick. This is the way the flu and many viruses are spread. Most often, you need to be close to the person (within 6 feet) for it to spread this way. The CDC recommends that people wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the toilet or when hands are visibly dirty. It further recommended using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol by volume (or 120 proof) when soap and water are not readily available. The WHO also advises people to avoid touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.”
The province has created a phone service to provide non-medical information about COVID-19, including the latest information on travel recommendations and social distancing. Information is 7:30 am - 8 pm at 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319) or via text message at 1-888-268-4319. Or you can click on any of the below links to find out more information regarding COVID-19.
Links to Latest COVID-19 Updates (4 Links):
Canada:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
BC Centre for Disease Control:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19
World Health Organization:
https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
Stats:
https://ncov2019.live/data
For questions or concerns, please contact us at:
Health Centre:
250-949-6625
Band Office:
250-949-6012