“Be calm, be kind, be safe” – Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC Provincial Health Officer

While BC has done a great job of social distancing and flattening the curve, be aware that confirmed cases of COVID-19 are in our communities within the Elk Valley. Remain vigilant, continue with physical distancing, and practice good hygiene! If you have travelled, have had close contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, or have upper or lower respiratory symptoms, please self-isolate for a period of 14 days. Respiratory symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, or runny nose. Other symptoms may be fever, muscle aches, headache, and fatigue.

Provincial criteria for testing have been expanded! These now may include anyone with the above symptoms. If you have symptoms that you feel warrant testing for COVID-19, please call the local Elk Valley Public Health Nurse directly at: 250-425-3777 (available M-F between 830am-430pm, and weekends 11am-3pm).

For advice on management of your symptoms, please refer to the websites below or call the HealthLink (nurses’ hotline) at 8-1-1 available 24/7, or ask to speak to a local public health nurse at 250-425-377 (times above). Mental health and anxiety resources can be found online at cmha.bc.ca (BC Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association), or by calling 310-6789 (no area code needed if calling from within BC).
• BC Centre for Disease Control
• HealthLink BC, available 24/7 by phone 8-1-1 (deaf or hard of hearing: 7-1-1)
• Interior Health
• BC Self-Assessment Tool and Support App
• Non-medical information about COVID-19: 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319), avail. 8am-9pm daily

Our Physician clinics offer virtual health care services (i.e. phone or video appointments) and continue to see essential services in office (such as prenatal visits). Our Emergency Room services in Fernie and Sparwood are well-staffed and open for all emergencies as well as COVID-19 related care. Although Elkford Emergency Department is currently closed, the Elkford Medical Clinic, lab and x-ray services are still open. PLEASE don’t hesitate to go to the Emergency Room if you are injured and in need of immediate care. Expect screening questions regarding symptoms and travel history, as well as limitations on visitors. Outpatient laboratory and x-ray services are available for urgent or timesensitive tests (e.g. blood draws for medication monitoring and x-rays to rule out fractures). Non-urgent surgeries are being postponed at this time; however, emergency and urgent surgeries are continuing.

If you have questions, please check with your local family physician office, or contact the hospitals directly: Elk Valley Hospital (250-423-4453), Sparwood Health Centre (250-425-6212), Elkford Health Centre (250-865-2247). Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support during this time. We are proud to serve such committed and proactive communities.

Sincerely,
Elk Valley Hospital Physicians
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