Theresa Graham isnB次元官网网址檛 sure what to do if she thinks she contracted COVID-19, and sheB次元官网网址檚 not alone.
Graham lives in a seniorB次元官网网址檚 complex in Duncan with 41 units, and many of her neighbours have expressed the same concerns.
B次元官网网址淲hat do we do if we want to be checked out?B次元官网网址� Graham wonders. B次元官网网址淒o we phone 811? If we need a test, how do we get there?B次元官网网址�
Graham and her friends say they have never really seen any directions for folks who are on their own, if they are concerned they might be ill. A lot of the information is available online, but thatB次元官网网址檚 not helpful for people who grew up without computers and still donB次元官网网址檛 have them in their homes.
B次元官网网址淲e can live without them,B次元官网网址� Graham points out.
Several people who live in GrahamB次元官网网址檚 complex donB次元官网网址檛 drive, and it is too far from the hospital to walk. If they do feel sick, they donB次元官网网址檛 want to take transit or a taxi or call a neighbour and risk exposing them to the coronavirus.
Island Health spokesperson Dominic Abassi understands where those concerns are coming from.
B次元官网网址滻tB次元官网网址檚 certainly true that the majority of the resources are online-based,B次元官网网址� he acknowledges.
Never fear, though. There are other ways to find the information that Graham and others are seeking. Abassi provided several phone numbers for resources.
B次元官网网址淭hrough most, if not all, of these resources people can be connected to the supports they require,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淔or instance, if someone calls for testing and they have transportation challenges, our call takers have resources to support those needs.B次元官网网址�
BC SeniorsB次元官网网址� Advocate: 877-952-3181
BC211: 211
B次元官网网址淎 really good resource is bc211,B次元官网网址� Abassi notes. B次元官网网址淔olks can just call 211 and they will be connected to a myriad of support services, including COVID-specific ones.B次元官网网址�
24/7 medical advice, including about COVID: call 811
Non-medical information about COVID-19: 888-268-4319
Island HealthB次元官网网址檚 COVID testing call centre: 844-901-8442
B次元官网网址淚f someone feels like they have symptoms, call 811 or just call this number to book a test. As mentioned above, when folks receive a call back to book testing, they can mention any transportation/mobility issues and resources can be made available to support.B次元官网网址�
Provincial call centre for booking a vaccine appointment: 833-838-2323.
B次元官网网址淭he same resources are available to support folks who may need to receive a vaccine in their home. We have a home vaccine program to support that.B次元官网网址�
Graham, who turns 82 this November, has already had her first vaccine shot. But like many seniors, and others, the pandemic is getting her down.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not helping our outlook,B次元官网网址� she confesses.
Graham takes solace in gardening, which keeps her both busy and outside. SheB次元官网网址檚 fortunate, she says, to live in a bungalow where she has her own garden.
B次元官网网址淚f I was in an apartment, IB次元官网网址檇 be going stir-crazy.B次元官网网址�
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