Vulnerable people in the Okanagan will now have sites to self-isolate because of the coronavirus pandemic, the provincial government announced on Tuesday.
According to the government, more than 900 spaces have been secured at 23 sites throughout the province, including hotels, motels and community centres.
In the Okanagan, the sites will be located in the region’s three largest communities: Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon.
“BC Housing is working with regional health authorities, municipal partners and experienced non-profit shelter and housing providers to develop community-based response plans to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing said in a press release.
Interior sites: 9 sites, 211 spaces
- Kamloops: two sites, 50 spaces
- Kelowna: one site, 20 spaces
- Nelson: two sites, 38 spaces (includes eight beds at Kalein Hospice Center)
- Penticton: two sites, 19 spaces
- Vernon: two sites, 84 spaces (includes 70 beds at Vernon Curling Club)
“These new spaces are a critical part of how we can support those who are vulnerable in our community, including those who are experiencing homelessness or living in communal locations where the virus could spread more quickly,” said Housing Minister Selina Robinson.
“In partnership with health authorities and local government, these new spaces are helping us mitigate the effect of this virus and support our health-care system in communities across the province.”
The province says health authorities are identifying those who require self-isolation and that it’s working with BC Housing to refer people to hotel rooms or community centres.
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It says some facilities are already operational, while others are expected to be ready in the coming days and weeks, adding that more rooms have been identified if expansion is needed.
The names of hotels and motels are not being released.
The province says the rooms and community-centre beds will assist a range of people, including homeless people, youth and those without safe spaces to self-isolate.
“In addition, some hotels are reserved specifically for people who have COVID-19 and need a place to self-isolate while they recover,” said the ministry.
It said staff will be on site regularly and will provide daily meals and cleaning services.
At the Vernon Curling Club — identified for its size, available amenities and proximity to essential services — officials say they have a separate area for guests that are showing flu or cold-like symptoms.
They also said they’ll follow protocol including calling 811, provide a mask to the guest and contact Interior Health about what steps to take next.
“The amalgamation of these two sites into a larger facility allows for far greater physical distancing for both clients and staff,” said Turning Points Collaborative Society executive director Randene Wejr. “This aligns with the provincial health officer’s recommendation around increased physical distancing.”
According to Turning Points:
• 70 beds at the curling club have each been sectioned off into 10-foot by 10-foot areas to maximize physical distancing.
• In conjunction with increased sanitization and portable hand washing stations, staff have been equipped with all necessary PPE, including masks, and scrubs.
• The additional space allows clients to sit further apart during meal times, again increasing physical distancing.
• The site will also allow for in-house meals, plus increased laundry and shower capabilities, reducing the potential risk of virus transmission.
• Combining the shelter sites into one large area also allows for more staff to be on shift.
“This plan is designed to keep the virus from being transmitted from employee to resident, employee to employee and from resident to employee,” explained Wejr. “This is designed to keep all of us safe and healthy.”
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