COVID-19 Information

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present challenges to the community. We ask that you wear a mask, practice social distancing, physically socialize only with your immediate household, and not travel outside the region. COVID-19 does not discriminate. A positive diagnosis can happen to anyone, anytime, anyplace. However, it happens most frequently when public health measures are not followed. Report breaches of Provincial Health Orders by contacting WFN Law Enforcement at 250-717-6147, or the West Kelowna RCMP Detachment at 250-768-2880. Remember, we are all in this together.

Documents

Telephone Directory

Vaccines

Available Resources

PROVINCIAL VACCINE RESOURCES

FEDERAL VACCINE RESOURCES

HOW THE VACCINES WORK

Vaccination Interest

WFN Members, and partners/spouses of WFN Members, are encouraged to complete the below submission form to better understand interest in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

Vaccination Interest Submission Form

Q+A's

1. If you have received the vaccine, is it possible to test positive?

It is not a live vaccine and therefore you would not get a positive test result from it.

2. How long does it take to be effective once it has been received?
Both vaccines provide limited coverage within 7 days following vaccination. The Pfizer vaccine gives 82% coverage within 21 days, while the Moderna Vaccine gives 82% coverage within 28 days .

3. Is there a test for vaccine effectiveness?
No, at this time there is no testing available for the effectiveness.

4. Can pregnant and/or breastfeeding mothers receive the vaccine?
It is not recommended at this time.

5. What is the minimum age to receive the vaccine?
Currently the vaccine is only available to those 18 years and older.

WFN Vaccination Strategy

FNHA are responsible to provide the vaccines to WFN, and WFN has no control over when vaccines will be received or the amount of vaccines that will be received.

Estimated Timeline for Vaccine Rollout **based on vaccine supply**

Pine Acres staff - early January (2nd dose: mid-March)

Pine Acres residents - late January (2nd dose: mid-March)
Early Spring - Elders 65+
Late Spring - Elders 55+
Early-Mid Summer - Members
Late Summer - Staff

Communication to Community

To date, WFN Elders 55 + and WFN staff have been contacted to gauge interest in receiving the vaccine and to provide more information/education on the vaccine.

Planning to Date

Immunization strategy has been developed
All WFN nurses have taken the required course to administer the vaccine
An anaphylaxis plan has developed
Vaccine team have been identified: Immunizers, Admin support, Team leads, Cleaning crew
Two locations have been identified depending on the amount of vaccines and vaccination team
- Siya and Gym would be ready and set up within 24 hours (floor plans prepared and walk throughs/dry runs completed)
- Supplies ordered
Reporting requirements are in place and E-forms have been reviewed

COVID-19 Information

Q+A's

1. What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses including Influenza and the common cold.

The most common symptoms include:

Fever, Chills, Cough or worsening chronic cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose, loss of sense of smell or taste, headache, fatigue, diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, or muscle aches.

Less common symptoms include:

Stuffy nose, conjunctivitis (pink eye), dizziness, confusion, abdominal pain, skin rashes, or discoloration of fingers or toes.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Sometimes people with COVID-19 have mild illness, but their symptoms may suddenly worsen in a few days.

2. What is self-monitoring vs. self-isolation?

Self-monitoring: Monitor your health and the health of your children for symptoms such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing. Individuals who are self-monitoring are allowed to attend work and school and take part in regular activities.

Self-isolation: You must stay at home, in a hotel or similar place, and avoid all contact with others.

Self-isolation is one important way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in B.C. and is used to lower the chance of spreading infectious germs to other people by avoiding situations where someone could infect others. People at high-risk of having been exposed to COVID-19 are asked to self-isolate as there is a small chance you can spread germs in the days before you feel sick. A number of groups of people including international travellers returning to Canada, contacts of a COVID-19 case, and people with symptoms or who are positive for COVID-19 are required to self-isolate

3. What is the incubation period of COVID-19?

At this time, the available information suggests the incubation period is up to 14 days. The incubation period is the time from when a person is first exposed until symptoms appear.‎

4. Can ibuprofen make COVID-19 symptoms worse?

There is no current evidence that ibuprofen makes COVID-19 worse. Ibuprofen is part of a group of medicines called NSAIDs and includes brand names like Advil and Motrin. These medicines help with pain, fever or inflammation. Acetaminophen, which includes brand names like Tylenol, also helps with fever. If you take ibuprofen to treat another condition, you should continue taking it. To treat symptoms like fever, we recommend first using acetaminophen. If it isn’t available, you can use ibuprofen as an alternative.

5. Has the COVID-19 variant reported in the United Kingdom been detected in British Columbia?

B.C. has detected a case of the COVID-19 variant that was first identified in the United Kingdom. Genetic variation of viruses such as the one that causes COVID-19 is to be expected and have been previously observed in parts of the world this year. While early data suggest that the United Kingdom variant may spread more easily, there is no evidence at this time that the mutations have any impact on symptom severity, antibody response, or vaccine efficacy. B.C. will continue to review cases to identify other possible cases associated with this variant in the province.