Anyone who has recently traveled outside of Canada or were in contact with someone who has recently traveled outside of Canada are being encouraged to stay at home and call HealthLink due to risks of the Coronavirus.
“If you have a fever or cough and have been traveling outside of Canada in the past 14 days, do not come to the Battle River Medical Clinic or the Ponoka Hospital. Stay at home and call HealthLink at 811,” says Dr. Gregory Sawisky, a local general practitioner.
“If you have had close contact with a person within the past 14 days who has recently traveled outside of Canada and you have a fever or a cough, stay home and call HealthLink at 811,” Sawisky says.
HealthLink will assess one’s risk for having coronavirus over the telephone and will advise on whether to seek testing or remain at home until symptoms have resolved.
“Because of how contagious this virus is, people must stay at home and not come to the clinic or the hospital for assessment or sick notes,” Sawisky adds.
Sawisky says that for most people, the coronavirus will make them feel like they have the flu but will go away over a period of days. He says that typical treatments for viral illnesses are important.
“This includes, Tylenol or Advil, fluids and giving your body the time to rest it needs,” he says.
For more information on COVID-19 call HealthLink at 811 or visit www.alberta.ca/COVID19.
- Submitted by Battle River Medical Clinic