Dear Patients/Clients of AVI
Due to concern about the potential spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and wanting to keep you healthy, we are altering our services.
We are currently working on a plan on how to provide essential services in the safest manner at all our locations during the COVID-19 pandemic. This situation is very much in flux and might change with short notice so we are asking for your patience. At present our locations/services are open but all group programming is cancelled and some locations are altering appointment times. When possible we are asking that appointments be done over phone instead of in person. We will post information and/or any changes as they come up on social media and our website. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out via phone or email. Contact info for all our locations can be found at http://avi.org/about-us/contact-us
Island Health and BC Housing are working to develop a response and strategy for supporting vulnerable population experiencing homelessness and who are housed in supportive housing and shelters. The Island Health website has a COVID page with all of the most up to date information about testing, cases, precautionary measures, etc.
https://www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/diseases-conditions/novel-coronavirus-information
Other helpful links:
- Infection Prevention Control: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals/interim-guidance-acute-healthcare-settings.html#a2
- Shelter and Congregate Settings https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/imm/guidance-for-congregate-settings-covid19.pdf
- BC Centre for Disease Control http://www.bccdc.ca/about/news-stories/stories/2020/information-on-novel-coronavirus
- Harm Reduction for PWUD and COVID 19 https://harmreduction.org/miscellaneous/covid-19-guidance-for-people-who-use-drugs-and-harm-reduction-programs/