By Ethan Ready

Coronavirus worry

NH addresses mounting coronavirus concerns ahead of Curling Championships

Mar 10, 2020 | 1:47 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Organizers of the World Women’s Curling Championships and Northern Health are advising coaches, parents, athletes, and supporters to take a proactive approach in the prevention of disease transmission during the week-long event.

The health authority presented in front of mayor and council on Monday (Mar. 9th) in hopes addressing some of the mounting concern throughout the community with the curling tournament set to get underway on Saturday, March 14, 2020.

According to Northern Health, “There have been a small number of cases of COVID-19 in B.C. which are being very closely managed. The risk to British Columbians, and those travelling to British Columbia, remains low.”

Eryn Collins, public affairs of Northern Health, says they have been in contact with Curling Canada since November, pre-dating any of the current concerns since coronavirus (Covid-19) spread to Canada with now 32 cases* in British Columbia.

“The province, right from the provincial level, right from the national level, in fact, have plans and response plans in place that the health authorities are very much involved in planning for,” said Collins.

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“I think what’s important to remember is that by no means does anyone who is confirmed to have a confirmed case of Covid-19 requires acute care, or even health care necessarily. We’re preparing across the spectrum of our healthcare services right from the prevention element of things to our primary care sites, to our acute care sites if those are actually required to be called into action.”

The following preventive measures are recommended by Northern Health, and will help protect you and the athletes from illness:

• Wash hands frequently (use lots of soap and hot water or hand sanitizers that are provided).
• Avoid contact with people who are ill.
• Know the symptoms of influenza and gastrointestinal illness and avoid contact with other people if you have them.
• Stay home if you’re sick.
• Avoid common touch surfaces such as doorknobs and hand railings as much as possible; increase environmental sanitation of common touch surfaces.
• Avoid sharing personal items such as water bottles, dishes, cutlery and cell phones.
• Get immunized against influenza.

Terry Morris, Curling Canada’s event manager, was also on hand for the presentation to city council, further addressing the public concern.

“My message is to not to be concerned or worried. We’re doing all we can to prevent the coronavirus from spreading throughout the arena.”

Morris adds that Curling Canada has been working with the staff at the CN Centre in order to ensure hand sanitizer stations are in place and that adequate signage is being displayed throughout the facility.

* number of cases of coronavirus as of March 10, 2020