Village of Canal Flats Mayor Karl Sterzer is issuing an important advisory for residents of Canal Flats after a suspected case of COVID-19 within the community.

“On March 8, an event was held at our community centre, with a number of people in attendance. A few days after the event, one person started to feel sick and attended their clinic and self- isolated with what they believed to be the flu. When the symptoms continued to worsen, the family attended the Invermere & District Hospital where they were advised late on March 21 that at least one family member likely has COVID-19 and were told to immediately self-quarantine at home  Because they did not require hospitalization they were not tested,” explained Mayor Sterzer. “The family notified the village today and we are taking immediate action to get the word out.”

There were several other parties that same day.

“Regardless of whether there is a definitive test or not, the need for self-protection measures to stop the potential spread is crucial and the village is urging all residents in Canal Flats to follow the social distancing orders from the Provincial Medical Health Officer and if any symptoms develop, to immediately self-isolate for the recommended 14 days,” added Sterzer. “We need to protect everyone in our community, including those who are at higher risk like the elderly and compromised, by taking social distancing seriously.”

A new website established in the Columbia Valley to connect volunteers with people who need deliveries of essentials like groceries and prescriptions has been set up. Anyone needing a delivery is encouraged to sign up on this website. In addition, anyone who is able to volunteer to pick up and deliver supplies to doorsteps can also sign up as a volunteer on the same site.

“Canal Flats is resilient. We have seen that time and time again, and I know we will come together as a community to take every measure we can to stop the spread of illness and support one another,” stressed Sterzer. ‘Our focus should not be on who has the virus, but on how we can all stop its spread. We need to remain calm as a community and continue to check in on one another. And we need to do this now more than ever. Everyone should be staying home unless they need to be out. And finally, we need to keep up good hygiene practices while following all the recommendations of the Provincial Health Officer.”

More information on COVID-19 and how to self-isolate are available on the BC Centre for Disease Control website at: http://covid-19.bccdc.ca.

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