There were 117 new cases of covid reported this last week in Smithers, and this only reflects those getting tested. The actual case count is likely much higher, and there is no sign of this outbreak slowing.
As a community, we continue to have one of the highest numbers of cases per population in the entire province at 69 cases per 100,000 population daily, and one of the lowest rates of vaccination at 62 per cent of our eligible population being fully vaccinated.
This has led to an overwhelming number of sick, mostly unvaccinated patients requiring care in our ER and admission to our ward. We are doing our best to increase capacity, but sadly, this influx is putting a strain on staffing and on patient care in other areas such as maternity and non-COVID-related admissions.
The situation has become so dire that, for the next three days, labouring women and those needing C-section will be diverted to Terrace.
As a medical staff, we want to send a strong message to the community that getting vaccinated now and following public health guidelines is essential to slow this outbreak. All of the undersigned physicians and allied health care providers believe without hesitation that vaccination is safe and effective, and we encourage each and every one of you to get vaccinated without delay.
It is heartbreaking for us to see our patients getting so sick, and to know that this is preventable with vaccination.
To those of you who have been vaccinated and are following public health guidelines, we sincerely thank you.
If you are sick, get tested, and self-isolate until you get your results. If you or a close contact has been diagnosed with COVID, it is essential that you follow isolation guidelines to avoid infecting others.
Guidance can be found here:
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/self-isolation
The Smithers and Houston vaccination clinic schedules can be found here:
COVID-19 immunization clinics | Northern Health
Current local case counts and vaccination rates:
COVID-19 Regional Surveillance Dashboard (bccdc.ca)
Northern Health public health guidelines:
New health measures introduced for Northern Health region | BC Gov News
Your dedicated team of health care providers,
Dr Barnard
Dr Blackstock
Dr Eustace
Dr Flynn
Dr Froese
Dr Haskins
Dr Jakubec
Dr Knight
Dr Kruithof
Dr Laskowski
Dr Morkel
Dr Niethammer
Dr Page
Dr Preto
Dr Pretorius
Dr Quinn
Dr Smith
Dr Steel
Dr Woudstra
Dr Yeker
Dr Vestevik
Dr Strauss
Brandin Lilgert, NP
Bobbie Adkins, RM