COVID-19

This page is OKIB's official source of information for members regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Please bookmark this page and check back daily for updates.

Safe opening procedures in place at OKIB facilities

Safe Opening Procedures in place at OKIB facilities
Health Department and OHS staff develop safe reopening procedures and we need your cooperation.

June 24, 2020 - OKIB offices are now open; however, the office doors will be locked and visitors and guests will require an appointment to visit the offices.

We will do our best to provide you with assistance over the phone, or we will arrange an appointment for you.

Band Office: 250.542.4328
Health Department: 250.542-5094
Social Development: 250.558.3706
Public Works/Lands: 250.542.3444
TSD: 250.542.7132
Language & Culture: 250.503.5593
Wellness Centre: 250.558.3957

Follow this link to read the member bulletin.

snc'c'amala?tn | Early Childhood Education Centre reopeing plan

June 17, 2020 - snc'c'amala?tn Early Childhood Education Centre is planning to resuming childcare services on Monday, July 6. However, this will be on a limited capacity, at first, to ensure that all new health and safety protocols are enacted appropriately in order to proceed in a cautious, thoughtful and safe manner.

The centre will first open to all parents working on-reserve and Tier 1 essential workers. Those offered a daycare space can schedule time to coincide with their work hours and commuting time, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

We know some employers will be encouraging you to return to work, but unfortunately we are not in a position right now to extend places to all children. Spots will continue to be held for children who were enrolled in the two daycare rooms, unless you choose to withdraw your child or the child is no longer of age for the program. Reopening of snc'c'amala?tn is still conditional and dependent on several key factors; however, we are hopeful that we will be ready for July 6. One main factor is dependent on continued positive trends as reported by the Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix. We will also continue to take direction from Chief and Council and the OKIB Health Department.

Having received guidance from the Province, we have begun to create an action plan to prepare for our phased reopening. You will soon be contacted and asked about your intentions to send your child back to daycare. We recognise that you know your children and their personal situation best, and that there are many factors which will influence your decision. We understand that this is a very unsettling time for us all, but be assured that we will do everything we can to make sure that we are ready to safely receive any children who are returning. All our plans will be reviewed by the OKIB Health Depai1ment. We will keep you updated with our preparations for making snc'c'amala?tn as safe as possible so that you can make an informed decision. snc 'c 'amala?tn has implemented Provincial hygiene protocols but can not fully protect you or your child from contracting COVID 19.

Some of the measures that will be put in place are:

Increased disinfecting, cleaning and handwashing

A detailed plan and stringent sanitation measures will be put in place. Staff members will receive training on prevention of COVID-19.

Physical distancing strategies and the use of personal protective equipment

We will be looking at what is practical and necessary in a child care setting.

Limiting toys and activities

Toys and equipment that cannot be easily cleaned and disinfected will be removed. Activities that were previously shared like play dough will be used by one child only.

Lower ratios and smaller group size

Our capacity will be reduced during this first phase of reopening. As mentioned above, only children of Okanagan Indian Band employees and essential services staff will be in attendance. This will give us the oppmiunity to practice new protocols and measures.

More outdoor play

Recent evidence suggests that the transmission of COVID-19 is lower outdoors compared to indoors.

Revised staff and child illness policies

This will be necessary to ensure that no one enters the building with COVID-19 symptoms or if they have been exposed to anyone with symptoms. Symptoms include fever, chills, cough, sneezing, sore throat, difficulty breathing, and shortness of breath, headaches or fatigue. If a child experiences any of these symptoms they will be immediately isolated and the parent will be required to take the child home immediately.

Food services

Procedures for safe food handling, cooking practices and serving food will be reviewed.

There will be many changes at the centre in order to provide a safe environment and keep staff, children and families healthy. Thank you for your patience as we work to ensure the maximum level of health and safety for families and staff.

You will be receiving further communications from us in the upcoming weeks. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we move towards a safe reopening.

Meet the OKIB Food Distribution Team

OKIB's food hamper distribution program

May 14, 2020 - Watch as Glenda Louis, Community Engagement Lead, talks about the food hamper pick-up that happens Friday, May 15, 2020. The program will continue monthly until the pandemic eases.

To register for the June distribution call the Food Security Initiative hotline at 250-241-9790 between 10 am and 2 pm or email [email protected]

COVID-19 testing available for OKIB community members and staff

May 8, 2020 - OKIB Health is preparing to offer testing of community members and staff who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19.

When: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. by appointment only. Call the OKIB Nurse Hotline 250-241-7595 to book.

Where: OKIB Health Centre

Who: OKIB community members and staff who are experiencing any symptoms compatible with COVID 19 (even mild symptoms) including:Fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, runny nose, nasal congestion, loss of sense of smell, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, or loss of appetite.

Individuals who do not have any symptoms will not be tested.
Testing will be done by OKIB RNs and LPNs who have obtained competency and attended training.

Questions? Call the OKIB Nurse Hotline 250-241-7595.

Click to read the member bulletin.

What to do if you have symptoms

March 23, 2020 - Today the Okanagan Indian Band Health Department issued a bulletin for all members about what to do if you have symptoms.

If you have any of these symptoms:

Cough
Fever
Runny nose
Sore throat
Flu-like feelings
Trouble with your breathing

You are required to do the following:

Self-isolate immediately (stay home and away from others).
Use the online COVID-19 Symptom Self-assessment Tool or call 8-1-1.
Call the OKIB Nurses Hotline Number at 250-241-7595 to let the OKIB Nurses know that you or your family are self-isolating.

IT IS VITAL THAT ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOLLOW THESE STEPS.

IF EVERYONE FOLLOWS THESE STEPS WE CAN REDUCE THE RISK OF COVID-19 TO OUR COMMUNITY.

OUR COMMUNITY’S HEALTH AND WELLNESS DEPENDS ON IT.

Symptom Self-assessment Tool and Information on testing

March 17, 2020 - Here is some information for community members about testing for COVID-19:

The BC Ministry of Health has a COVID-19 Symptom Self-assessment Tool that you can use.

Who should be tested for COVID-19?

People with respiratory symptoms who are:

Hospitalized, or likely to be hospitalized
Health Care Workers
Residents of long term care facilities
Part of an investigation of a cluster or outbreak

Who does not need to be tested for COVID-19?

People without symptoms
Patients with mild respiratory symptoms who can be managed at home, including returning travellers with an onset of illness within 14 days of return to Canada

The BC Ministry of Health strongly urges anyone who has symptoms - including a fever, cough, sneezing, sore throat, or difficulty breathing to self-isolate for 14 days.

To protect yourself while out in public, wash your hands frequently and maintain a distance of about 2 metres from others.

For more information on COVID-19, check out to HealthLink BC's COVID-19 website.

The province has created a phone service to provide non-medical information about COVID-19, including the latest information on travel recommendations and social distancing. Information is available in more than 110 languages, 7:30 am to 8 pm at 1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319) or via text message at 604-630-0300.