CNC has increased face-to-face instruction this fall according to provincial Return to Campus guidelines. The COVID-19 pandemic continues, and the region continues to see high case rates. We wish to share information with students and employees to promote on-going health and safety within the CNC community.
What we are doing now, and how you can help
Vaccination for COVID-19
Registration and appointment booking for the COVID-19 vaccine continues. We encourage CNC employees to speak with their primary care provider and seek trusted sources of information about specific interventions and their personal health. You can register at https://www.getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca/ or by calling 1-833-838-2323.
Vaccination for the seasonal influenza
Seasonal flu clinics are also taking place across the region CNC serves. Information is available at immunizebc.ca. The BC Ministry of Health has made the vaccination free for anyone in the province six months of age or older. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry notes, “This year, it’s especially important for people to get vaccinated against influenza. Last year’s low influenza rates means our immunity against influenza is lower than usual. Getting your influenza vaccine this year is more important than ever to protect yourself, your community and our overstretched health-care system.”
Mask use at CNC
We greatly appreciate the efforts that students and staff are making to support the provincial mask mandate at CNC. A reminder that mask use is required in all public spaces at CNC, including classrooms.
If you cannot wear a mask, you must make a formal accommodation request through accessibility services for students and human resources for staff. Please note these are the only method by which you can make a request.
Monitoring one’s health
We ask students and employees to continue to monitor their health every day before coming to a CNC campus.
Please do not come to campus if you are sick. If you have symptoms including a new fever or cough, you should also self-isolate and seek medical advice as soon as possible. Visit healthlinkbc.ca or please call 8-1-1 to speak with a registered nurse.
Northern Health has launched an on-line COVID-19 testing booking form.
Self-isolation guidelines
There have also been questions about self-isolation and self-monitoring. With respect to self-monitoring or self-isolating after an exposure, the BC Centre for Disease Control recommends:
- You may need to self-monitor for 14 days if you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19. While self-monitoring, check yourself for symptoms of COVID-19 (key symptoms include fever or chills, cough, loss of sense of smell or taste, and/or difficulty breathing) and get tested right away if you think you may be sick.
- You may also need to self-isolate for 10 of the 14 days if you are not fully vaccinated. When you self-isolate, stay home and keep away from others to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
CNC recommends if you are symptomatic or think you are, please complete the self assessment on the BC CDC website or contact 811 to get their advice regarding testing.
Family sick leave is available for CNC employees who have to care for someone who is symptomatic, has test positive, or is otherwise ill. If you are caring for someone who is positive for COVID, please should follow direction regarding isolating within the home, wear masks and frequently clean. You should seek advice from public health at 811 if you should remain home.
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