OKOTOKS — The Town's emergency management team has been working proactively to ensure services are not interrupted in Okotoks in case of a potential COVID-19 outbreak in the community.
Essential services such as police and fire, as well as providing safe drinking water, are the focus for the Town. Additional personal protective equipment and sanitation practices are being deployed for all Town of Okotoks employees.
There are also business continuity plans in place for non-essential services, such as snow-clearing contracts. The Town will ensure any employee who may have come in contact with the virus works remotely as a means of containment.
Mayor Bill Robertson said the Town is well-prepared for a medical emergency and will follow the recommendations of the Province in the coming weeks, which could mean some temporary changes to services or community events.
"We encourage residents to use Alberta Health Services as the trusted authority for information and guidance regarding COVID-19," said Robertson in a media release.
Protective services director Kelly Stienwand said the Town also receives daily information from the Alberta Emergency Management Agency as well, and has been working closely with neighbouring municipalities to co-ordinate response to COVID-19.
"I think it's important to note that the Town does emergency management planning year-round," said Stienwand in an interview. "We have deployed our COVID-19 corporation response plan, and this plan is comprehensive and is in alignment with the Province of Alberta's pandemic plan.
"The planning we do in Alberta is very collaborative. We work very closely with our regional partners and with Alberta Health Services and the Emergency Management Agency in the province, and we're all speaking the same language and our plans are all aligned and we're prepared to support each other and to ensure the safety of our community."
He said Town staff are trained in the processes and systems that need to be employed should an outbreak occur, and the management team of the municipality has created continuity plans, ensuring the workplace, staff and services are protected.
The most important advice the Town can offer is to remain vigilant and follow the advice of Alberta Health Services, he said. The website has information on how to prepare, how to prevent the spread of infection, how to self-isolate, and what social distancing entails.
"This is information that;s coming from Alberta Health Services, who is our trusted resource in this area," said Stienwand.
Dr. Troy McKibbin, a family physician with Pinnacle Medical in Westmount, said the best advice is to follow the messaging of Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical officer - wash hands, avoid touching the face, avoid contact with those who may be ill, and stay home if any symptoms arise.
"The main thing is that if you have symptoms of coronavirus - colds, cough, fever, shortness of breath - and you've travelled outside the country in the 14 days prior to your illness, then you should call 811(Health Link)," said McKibbin.
"Don't come into the clinic, don't come in to urgent care to try to avoid exposing people. Call 811 first."
For more information or updates on COVID-19 in Alberta, visit www.albertahealthservices.ca.
