VCREMP COVID – 19 Update: May 7th, 2020

Commercial Cattle Branding

To summarize – Workplaces that are not otherwise restricted or ordered to cease offering close-contact services or services accessible by the public can have more than 15 workers on a work site as long as they follow all public health guidelines, including physical distancing measures, such as:

• prohibiting people from coming to work sick or showing any potential COVID-19 symptoms: cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose or sore throat
• wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use hand sanitizer often in the absence or soap/water hand washing stations.
• cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow
• avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
• maintaining physical distancing (keep at least 6 feet or length of hockey stick away from others). Adjust processes and animal handling systems to maintain physical distancing whenever possible while maintaining the safety of workers and animals’ welfare. 

COVID-19 is not airborne, which means it doesn’t stay in the air long and won’t go very far. But if you are too close to someone with COVID-19 you can get sick by breathing in air that contains droplets with the virus. Therefore, when impossible to maintain the physical distancing between interconnected roles or close proximity teams (e.g. people administering branding, medical injections and/or handling the animal) then consider:

• Assigning people who already commingle as a “family group that lives together’ to those interconnected roles or close proximity teams.
• Outfitting interconnected roles or close proximity teams, particularly ones that are not “family groups living together” with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) whenever possible or reasonable. PPE can include the following, as either disposable or washable items, gloves, coveralls, face-masks, hats or even plastic face shields. 

It is recommended that individual users of PPE avoiding unnecessary shaking or tossing of items that could cause COVID 19 droplets to “shed”, and that used items are placed directly into trash or a washing machine. All potential COVID exposed materials should be washed with hot water and soap that create suds/bubbles to break down any virus droplets.

Throughout the pandemic response in this province, Alberta Health Services has been maintaining an inventory of resources specifically tailored for the Low German Mennonite Community. To put things in perspective, one fifth of our population base in Vulcan County speaks Low German as a first language.

Barons-Eureka-Warner Family and Community Support Services has a YouTube Channel that covers a wide range of subjects potentially of interest to Low German speakers. There is information on Covid-19 and personal hygiene, as well as other video guides on a wide range of subjects unrelated to the pandemic.

Vulcan Dental Clinic

Our local dentist is now able to accept more “Urgent Care Cases” rather than just “Emergency Care Patients.” Those in physical discomfort are encouraged to contact the clinic.

Long Term Care, Supportive Living, and Congregate Living

• As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, AHS is taking additional steps to ensure those most at risk of contracting the virus are protected.
• Visitors may not enter any continuing care facility (long-term care or licensed supportive living), except for visits from a designated essential visitor:
  • when a resident is dying
  • where, in rare situations, the resident’s quality of life or care needs cannot be met without the visitor’s assistance
• Up to two visitors may attend to a resident in a continuing care centre who is at the end of their life. This is defined as up to two weeks before death, but it is understood that estimates are imprecise.
  • Visitors must be verified and undergo a health screening prior to entering the facility. They are also required to wear a mask during their visit and maintain physical distancing.
• Residents who are not in isolation may visit outdoors with a designated essential visitor and one other person. However, physical distancing must be practiced and all visitors must wear a mask or some other form of face covering.
• Visits are allowed for patients in maternity care and children who are patients in acute care/outpatient settings.
  • Again, visitors must be verified and undergo a health screening prior to entering the facility. They are also required to wear a mask during their visit.
• Families and friends of those in these facilities are encouraged think of how they can support and encourage their loved ones through this difficult time without visiting.
• For more information, visit https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page17001.aspx.

811 Health Link

Once again, people experiencing 7symptoms are to take the online self-assessment. As a further reminder, 811-health link is for those who are feeling ill and seeking advice. DO NOT call 811 to report non-compliance of Public Health Orders; these can be reported to the Environmental Health Complaint Link or by calling (403) 943-2288.

If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others

• Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2643
• Addiction Help Line at 1-866-332-2322