August 19, 2021

Hello Creston,

Creston has seen 75 new cases of COVID in the last 14 days. This number is likely lower than reality as many who are ill choose not to get tested. 51% of the new cases are patients in their 20s or 30s.

Our hospital recently lost a patient to COVID-19. This patient didn't believe in the virus, and most definitely didn't believe it was the reason for breathing problems. The patient had not been vaccinated. The night this patient took a turn for the worse, the patient kept asking us to do something. “There must be something that can be done. Something that will stop me from coughing…". Because this patient declined transfer to the Intensive Care Unit, the patient was on every medication available to us. In the end, this patient was on a very high amount of oxygen, but without success. I think the hardest part of this sad story was having to watch the patient struggle due to being air hungry for days on end. My heart went out to patient’s nursing staff and their family members. It didn't have to be this way.

This story is not meant to frighten, but to inform. For many, COVID seemed to be a problem suffered by other people in other places. Now, the dangers of COVID are right here in Creston. COVID positive patients fill our Emergency Room beds every shift. The fourth wave did not pass us over.

Creston's vaccination rate is among the lowest in the Interior Health region. Only 63% of our people have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and only 55% of our people have received both doses. Regardless of your reasons for fearing the vaccine, please make sure you have all the facts. Don't read only the articles that support your viewpoint.

If, despite all, you still choose to not get vaccinated, please be more careful than ever. It is crucial to be militant and strict about sick people coming to work or joining you at a party. Some people act recklessly and don’t consider the health of others. COVID doesn't have legs or wings - it can't walk or fly. Human contact spreads the virus. Wear your mask, stay home if feeling sick, practice social distancing, wash your hands and use hand sanitizer. Tons of it. Get tested if you feel unwell. The Delta Variant spreads quickly and is real. It is also affecting our children. Whether you want to admit it or not, right now, small businesses in our towns have closed temporarily because of unvaccinated people becoming sick with COVID-19.

In three weeks, school will begin. We all want what is best for our children, so keeping the school year uninterrupted and safe is part of that. If your child was born before 2009, please vaccinate them. It will keep your child safe, as well as their friends and teachers.

If you have any questions about vaccinations, ask a health care professional. Don’t feel bad about being a late adopter. Better late than never!

Creston administers Pfizer and Moderna. Vaccinations are available at the Creston Health Centre (lower level of the Creston Valley Hospital) every weekday as well as at pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics in the Valley. The schedule is available here: https://news.interiorhealth.ca/.../covid-19-immunization.../. There is no need for an appointment. Just show up.

If you haven't had time to get vaccinated, the time is NOW. Please make the time for yourself, for your family, and for our community.

Dr. Nerine KIeinhans

Creston Valley Physician