The Town of Qualicum Beach is following the direction of BC’s Provincial Health Officer in dealing with COVID 19 (coronavirus). Right now, that means the following key messages.
Facility Closures
The Town of Qualicum Beach has taken further precautions against the spread of COVID-19, by closing town related facilities, until further notice:
  • Town Hall (closed to the public but still conducting business)
  • Civic Centre
  • Community Hall
  • Veterans’ Way Washrooms
  • Digital Media Studio
  • Oceanside Hospice (Valhalla)

Other town-related facilities have also decided to close:
  • Qualicum Beach Museum
  • Library
  • Oceanside Community Safety Office
  • Memorial Golf Course
Precautions
Social Distancing
This means making changes in your everyday routines to minimize close contact with others, including:
  • avoiding non-essential gatherings
  • avoiding common greetings, such as handshakes
  • limiting contact with people at higher risk like older adults and those in poor health
  • keeping a distance of at least 2 arms-length (approximately 2 metres) from others

Hygiene
Proper hygiene can help reduce the risk of infection or spreading infection to others:
  • wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the washroom and when preparing food
  • use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
  • when coughing or sneezing:
  • cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand
  • dispose of any tissues you have used as soon as possible and wash your hands afterwards
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
  • clean high-touch surfaces frequently with regular household cleaners or diluted bleach (1 part bleach to 9 parts water), eg. phones, door handles, tv remotes)

Pets & Animals
You should restrict contact with pets and other animals if you are sick with COVID-19, just like you would around other people.
  • Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people with the virus limit contact with animals until more is known.
  • When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick with COVID-19. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with them.
Levels of Monitoring & Isolating
Self Monitoring

Self Monitor if you:
  • have no symptoms and
  • may have been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days or
  • you are in close contact with older adults or people who are medically vulnerable or
  • you have been asked to do so by the local public health authority

Self-monitoring means to monitor yourself for symptoms of respiratory illness, such as fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Avoid crowded places and increase your personal space from others when possible

Self Isolating

Self isolate if you:
  • have no symptoms and
  • may have been exposed to COVID-19 as a result of:
  • travelling outside of Canada within the last 14 days, or
  • coming in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19.

Self-isolation means to
  • stay at home
  • monitor yourself for symptoms for 14 days
  • avoid contact with others
If there are others in your home, this means to:
  • stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom if possible
  • keep at least 2 metres between yourself and other people
  • keep interactions brief and wear a mask
  • do not share personal items, such as toothbrushes, towels, bed linen, utensils or electronic devices
  • at least once daily, clean and disinfect surfaces that you touch often, like toilets, bedside tables, doorknobs, phones and television remotes
  • avoid contact with individuals with chronic conditions, compromised immune systems and older adults
  • avoid contact with pets if you live with other people that may also be touching them.

Isolating

You need to isolate if you:
  • have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or
  • are waiting for laboratory test results or
  • have been advised to do so by the local public health authority

Isolating yourself means to:
  • stay home until the local public health authority says you are no longer at risk of spreading the virus
  • avoid contact with others
  • follow the direction for self-isolation (above)

If you develop symptoms:
  • isolate yourself
  • stay home
  • avoid other people
  • contact your local public health authority at 811 www.bccdc.ca/covid19
Self Assessment Tool
This self-assessment tool, developed with the BC Ministry of Health, will help determine whether you may need further assessment or testing for COVID-19. You can complete this assessment for yourself, or on behalf of someone else, if they are unable to.



Economic Support
The Government of Canada is taking action to help Canadians facing hardship as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

To see the new set of economic measures to help stabilize the economy during this challenging period click on the link below.



COVID-19 Screening Clinic
A new referral-only COVID-19 screening clinic has opened in Nanaimo, as of today.

Health officials are asking residents not to attend or call the screening clinic unless referred there by a primary care provider or an 811 HealthLink BC nurse .

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is reminding residents that not everyone needs to be tested. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, dry cough, or difficulty breathing, can use the O nline Self-Assessment tool (see above),  or contact a primary care provider or call HealthLink BC at 811.

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