The following is a verbatim media release issued by the City of Powell River on Monday, March 16.
As a result of COVID-19, effective immediately and until further notice, the Powell River Recreation Complex and Powell River Public Library are being closed to the public for the safety and well-being of its citizens following an order from the provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.
On March 16, as part of a regional coalition of mayors, mayor Dave Formosa and chair of the Powell River Hospital District Board councillor CaroleAnn Leishman received a briefing from Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) coastal chief operating officer Karin Olson about the current state of the COVID-19 situation. Additionally, Formosa and Leishman received a separate briefing from VCH medical health officer Dr. Meena Dawar about the status of Powell River.
“We remain low risk in Powell River, and as of today, and despite a memorandum from VCH earlier today, there have been no cases of COVID-19 reported here,” said Formosa, following the briefings. “There have been cases reported on the Sunshine Coast, but these are on the lower coast. I was told by Dr. Meena Dawar that VCH is prepared for whatever might come to Powell River.”
Although an earlier memorandum had indicated there was a confirmed case in Powell River, VCH reconfirmed Powell River does not currently have a confirmed case of COVID-19 as of March 16. However, everyone is reminded that it is likely only a matter of time before Powell River does have a confirmed case of COVID-19 and are encouraged to follow the recommendations outlined below to stay healthy and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Earlier in the day, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that businesses are now prohibited from allowing gatherings in excess of 50 people.
City council is asking local business owners to follow the recommendations of the BC Centre for Disease Control, which can be found at http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/employers-businesses
There are facilities at Powell River General Hospital to test for COVID-19, but before attending the hospital or your family doctor to get advice, PHSA encourages people to call 811, if you have any concerns; think you might have COVID-19 or been in contact with anyone who has. This is to prevent people from potentially contaminating the hospital, putting strain on the capacity of the hospital and putting the health of patients at risk. There has been information being sent to residents in long-term care facilities and to their families to reassure them of the work that is being done, and potential risks to clients in those facilities.
“I want to assure citizens that their council is closely monitoring the situation and we promise to keep you informed,” said Formosa. “This situation is fluid and information could be changing by the hour. It should make us all proud and give us each a sense of security that we’re coming together as a community to help each other through this crisis. We’ll get through it together. That’s the Powell River way.”
Accurate sources of information regarding COVID-19 and preventing illness can be found at the following websites:
Vancouver Coastal Health: http://www.vch.ca/about-us/news/vancouver-coastal-health-statement-on-coronavirus
BC Centre for Disease Control: http://www.bccdc.ca/about/news-stories/stories/2020/information-on-novel-coronavirus
Government of Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus.html
Residents are also reminded and encouraged to take the following steps to stay healthy and prevent the spread of COVID-19 by:
· Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
· Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
· Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
· Social distancing
· Cough or sneeze into your sleeve and not your hands
· Staying home if you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others
The City of Powell River will continue to closely monitor this situation and will provide information and resources for its residents as it becomes available.
