How are we doing as a region?
While the vast majority of local residents are taking important precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we can still do more as a community and region to protect each other and ourselves.
Consider the following:
- Our closest neighbour, the United States, now has over 100,000 COVID-19 cases, more than any other country in the world. Twenty per cent of their patients in hospital with COVID-19 are aged 20-44.
- While our seniors and those with chronic disease are definitely more vulnerable to this virus, people of all ages can get severely ill and anyone can spread it.
- At Powell River General Hospital, all elective investigations, procedures and surgeries are now cancelled, very few visitors are permitted, and there are increased infection precautions being added every week.
Is there any good news?
According to Dr. Bonnie Henry’s provincial update Friday, the difficult public health measures we are taking may be starting to “flatten the curve,” to slow down the spread of this virus. The next one to two weeks will be critical to determine if we are doing enough.
The majority of COVID-19 patients in BC have only mild or moderate symptoms and are being managed at home.
Rapid and extensive preparations have been made at our hospital and long-term care facilities. Our entire team of health care workers, administrators and staff are working extremely hard preparing for COVID-19 patients.
What else can we do?
Most people are doing their part - our leaders, our health care teams, our business owners, and our community members at large. It is so important that we continue to support each other in these efforts.
Please strictly self-isolate at home if you have manageable cold or flu-like symptoms, or if you have travelled out of country in the last 14 days. People without these symptoms or recent travel should stay home except for essential work or supplies, for medical support, or for outdoor activities.
If you do go out, please keep your distance from others and clean your hands (and your cell phone) frequently, especially after touching public surfaces and before you eat or prepare food.
Where do we get medical information and support?
If you have any new or ongoing health concerns, want more information about how to stay healthy, or simply need to discuss your prescriptions, please feel free to call your local family physician or nurse practitioner’s office.
Clinics are still open for phone calls and virtual visits, and will make arrangements if you need a physical exam after your call. Stay tuned, as local providers are working on solutions to create more care options for people with and without a family doctor.
You can also call 811 or go online at www.bccdc.ca for current information and to use the online COVID-19 symptom checker.
If you need to come to the hospital for serious breathing symptoms or fever, please call ahead for instructions before you arrive (604.485.3211). You will be directed to the ambulance bay for your assessment. Please wash your hands and put on a mask when you arrive.
Those without COVID-19 symptoms needing 911 and emergency room care should continue to seek help as needed, though additional visitor restrictions and infection precautions are in place.
If you wish to donate protective equipment for health care workers please call the Powell River Hospital Foundation at 604.485.4996.
Be smart, be safe, and be kind.
Sincerely,
Powell River Physicians COVID Steering Committee (PRCSC)
Dr. Evan Adams
Dr. Rachel Bell
Dr. Robin MacNearney
Dr. Barrie McDonald
Dr. Chris Morwood
Dr. Neha Musini
Dr. Ian Ricketson
Dr. Werner Schoeman
Dr. Charles Van Zyl
