Stefanie Mclellan, MD. Chief of Staff, Invermere and District Hospital

Happy New Year!

As everywhere in BC we are seeing a significant increase in COVID cases, due to the highly contagious omicron variant. Our case count is currently at 42, however the true number of COVID cases is likely higher as we have limited testing capacity. Luckily, we have not seen a significant increase in hospitalizations or severe illness so far. However, many workplaces are affected by staffing shortages due to illness. This has affected the hospital as well, but we are managing at this time. 

There have been some recent changes in testing and isolation requirements around COVID which you should be aware of:

  • If you are a close contact with someone with COVID, and you are fully immunized with 2 doses of the COVID vaccine, and you have no symptoms, you do not need to isolate and you do not need a COVID test. If you are not immunized, you need to isolate for 10 days.
  • If you are a close contact with someone with COVID, and you have any symptoms, self isolate and get a test.
  • If you have symptoms of COVID, refer to the chart by the BC CDC to determine if you need a COVID test.
  • Due to the increased demand for testing, and limited capacity, the turnaround time for PCR results has increased significantly. We have rapid antigen tests which we can give out. However, we have a limited supply of these and they are only for symptomatic people who meet criteria for testing. To obtain a rapid antigen test, drop into the COVID testing site (behind the hospital, near the ambulance station) between 10 and noon, every day of the week. PCR tests are now limited to people over 65 years or children under 4, health care workers, and residents of long term care homes.  
  • If you test positive the isolation period has now been reduced to 5 days for those who are fully immunized, as long as you feel better and have no fever. If you are not immunized, you need to isolate for 10 days. You should also self report your positive test and let all your close contacts know. 

As of last Friday, the province has opened up booster vaccination to anyone over 18. Many of you will likely receive an invite now. We have increased our capacity for administering vaccine boosters significantly by doubling the appointments available every day and adding one extra day a week. We are also grateful to our colleagues at Lambert-Kipp Pharmacy and Pharmasave who are participating in the COVID immunization program. To get a booster dose, wait for your invite from Immunize BC and then book your appointment either at public health or at a pharmacy. Please do not drop in for your booster. 

For dose 1 and 2 of the covid vaccine, you can drop in to public health Wednesday to Friday from 9 – 12 and 1 – 3.