The original item was published from 4/8/2020 10:19:02 AM to 4/10/2020 9:05:01 PM.

News Flash

Creston News Room

Posted on: April 8, 2020

[ARCHIVED] April 8, 2020 - Update from Creston Valley Physicians and Medical Staff

As of 3 p.m. on April 7, 2020, there were 1,291 identified cases in B.C. For the third day in a row, we have ZERO new cases in the Interior.

I take my hat off to Pealows and Save on Foods for all the safety measures they’ve put in place. These measures include but are not limited to: dedicated shopping hours for seniors, Plexiglass screens at the cashier, floor markers to remind us to keep our distance when waiting to pay, as well as one-way arrows to direct flow.

However, shoppers are still violating the social distancing rules and putting us all at risk. Many of you have suggested that the grocery stores limit the number of shoppers they allow into the store at a time.

The reality is that even with only three customers in the entire store, these three shoppers could still violate the social distancing rules by standing too close together or touching items unnecessarily.

Who’s responsibility is it to maintain the two-meter recommended distance when you’re out shopping? It is your responsibility. If someone is coming into your safe space, the onus is on you to politely remind them to keep their distance.

Let’s all work together on the following:

Only get your groceries if online shopping isn’t an option. Try to limit your outings to once a week - don’t browse. Know what you need and shop quickly. Try not to touch any items unless you are confident you are buying them. This especially applies to any fresh items, such as produce. Only one member per family if possible, and if you’re sick, do not go to the grocery store. Wash your hands before you enter and when you leave.

All family doctor are providing telephone appointments.

If you have a family doctor, please reach out to them for your medical needs.

If you do not have a family doctor and you have a non-urgent medical problem, please dial: 1 855 411 1630. This number is for Creston residents only and it will be available during the COVID 19 crisis to help minimize unnecessary visits to the emergency department. Callers are to leave name and call-back phone number.

Calls will be returned 10am to 3pm Monday through Friday (except stats). Calls may be returned the next day.

For secondary school students at PCSS & Homelinks (Grades 8-12): For a HUB appointment, CONTACT us via 250 402 3201 or email c.holden@valley.services (this phone is monitored 8am - 5pm week days.) They will set up an appointment with the Hub doctors, nurses and counsellors throughyour phone at a set time. We will need your name and telephone number and email address.

Phone and video appointments are available on Wednesdays and Thursdays 11-2.

Easter and Passover are two very important holidays.Starting tomorrow and over the coming days, British Columbians of many faiths, along with millions around the world, will be celebrating major religious holidays in ways that many have never experienced before.

B.C.’s faith leaders have taken the challenge of maintaining physical distance to heart and are using these holidays as an opportunity to reinforce our commitment to showing kindness and care for our communities.

We call on faith leaders, followers and congregations to pay special attention to our Elders and seniors to ensure we protect them by connecting safely from a distance.

If you want to bring a parcel to your loved one in a medical facility (hospital or Long term care), please limit it to the essentials only. It has to be in a wipeable container, and no cardboard, plastic, fabric, papers or magazines. Please call the facility ahead of time if you have any questions.

Dr Bonnie Henry has asked visitors from other provinces to stay home and not visit their second homes this weekend. Eight of the 13 provinces and territories now have border checkpoints and travel restrictions in place. These are to discourage any non-essential travel. BC and Alberta are not among them.

There continues to be concerns about returning travellers. Once again, both Prime Minister Trudeau and Dr. Bonnie Henry reiterated that the federal government has invoked the Quarantine Act, which makes quarantining mandatory. All returning travellers must remain in quarantine for 14 days. Failure to comply can be enforced by the RCMP.