Northern Health is offering advice ahead of the 2020 World Women’s Curling Championship, which beings on Saturday (March 14) in Prince George, amid concerns over novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
A delegation from Northern Health was followed by the CN Centre’s Glen Mikkelsen and Curling Canada, who attended last night’s city council meeting (March 9) to address some of these concerns.
“We know the situation with COVID-19 is evolving rapidly and changing every day both worldwide, and in Canada and here in B.C.,” said Medical Health Officer Dr. Rachel Kling to council.
“However, as we said before and continue to reiterate the risk to British Columbia and those travelling to British Columbia, remains low.”
She said Northern Health is working closely with the ministry of health, the provincial health officer and BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) together in terms of preparation and response in terms of COVID-19.
“We continue to advise the same advice that the BC Centre for Disease Control and our provincial health officer Dr. Henry is advising in preventing COVID-19. These are the same things anyone would do in terms of preventing repertory illness such and the cold and flu so the most important thing is frequently washing hands.”
She said not shaking hands, hugging or having close contact with people and especially staying home if you are feeling sick are preventative measures for the spread of illness, not just COVID-19, but all respiratory illnesses.
Kling said at this time, with regards to the World Women’s Curling Championship, there is no recommendations locally or provincially to cancel any major events.
“We know that while there is people coming to Prince George and to B.C. internationally that there is some risk, but the risk is very low because people are travelling to B.C. and Vancouver through YVR internationally every day,” said Kling.
“We have also been working very closely with Curling Canada and the event organizers to make sure this is a very safe event for everyone in terms of risk.”
She said for the teams coming from high-risk countries many of them have been training for quite some time outside of their countries of risk and therefore that the risk from them is quite low.
Kling has also written a letter addressed to coaches, organizers and participants offering advice.
She says the tournament organizers and Northern Health are taking a proactive approach in the prevention of disease transmission at this year’s tournament.
CN Centre General Manager Glen Mikkelsen and Terry Morris from Curling Canada also presented at council in regards to the precautions being taken at the championship.
“As Northern Health mentioned, we have been in constant regular contact with them over the last few months to prepare for this event,” said Mikkelsen, adding that all staff have been preparing with best practices.
He said health information, including World Health Organization (WHO) signage in all washrooms, and hand sanitizer will be distributed throughout the championships.
“I’ve been in contact with other general managers across the country talking about this issue as its top of mind for all of us in the event industry,” said Mikkelsen.
“Particularly, I was in contact with the general manager out in Kingston who was hosting the Brier, which wrapped up yesterday (March 8). She was experiencing the same kind of concerns expressed in our community.”
He said the event was tremendously successful with full houses and they hope to emulate the communication and success of the 2020 Tim Hortons Brier despite COVID-19 concerns.
“I discuss coronavirus with world curling federation every second day,” said Morris. “It’s not something they are taking very lightly.”
He said it’s important to note the athletes competing in this event have all been sanctioned for travel by their governments, and eight of the teams that are attending from high-risk countries have been in isolated training camps.
“Korea is presently in Vancouver and China, who people had some concerns about, hasn’t been in China since November they’ve been in Europe —Scotland — and now are in Canada.”
Northern Health has recommended the following preventative measures to avoid respiratory 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 (See attached Frequently Asked Questions).
- 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.
You can also find a FAQ regarding staying healthy at the 2020 World Women’s Curling Tournament on Northern Heath’s website.
