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COVID-19 Resources

We are committed to remaining open and available to all during this challenging time

The impact of COVID-19 is felt in every aspect of our daily lives. We at Wellness Pharmacy are committed to remaining open and available to all during this challenging time. We are taking measures to ensure our store is a safe environment, while also looking at ways to make it easy for you to get essential items with minimal physical contact. Your health and safety and that of our staff will always come first. We have implemented the following health and safety measures:

  • Free delivery
  • Plexiglass barriers that prevents droplets from spreading between our staff and our customers
  • Physical distancing markers on the ground to ensure a 2-meter distance between customers
  • Signs that encourage our customers to use the drive-thru (if available)
  • Signs that inform customers not to shop while sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19
  • Increased routine cleaning practices
  • UV-C lights that disinfect the air and surfaces
  • Mask and/or face shields are provided and required for all of our staff members
  • Policies that mandate staff to stay home if they are unwell
  • Policies that prevent nurses from visiting patients at home if the patient is experiencing symptoms of or has tested positive for COVID-19, and find alternative solutions to ensure the patient receives their medications
  • Partnered with the Free Mask Project of Vancouver to provide free cloth face masks to at risk individuals in our community, including people who work on the frontlines, are over 60 years old, or have multiple health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or kidney disease. For all others, masks are available by donation.
  • Provide the Covid-19 vaccine to eligible individuals. You can book your appointment here: https://www.wellpharmacy.com/covid-19/
  • Staying up to date on the latest COVID-19 recommendations and studies so we can stay ahead of the curve in prevention strategies and treatment guidelines

We are committed to helping you access accurate and up-to-date information on COVID-19.

What is COVID-19

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses found mostly in animals. In humans, they can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The disease caused by this new coronavirus has been named COVID-19. While many of the characteristics of COVID-19 are still unknown, mild to severe illness has been reported for confirmed cases.

Symptoms of COVID-19

Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes are at higher risk for developing more serious complications. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus, and may include:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • Loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
  • Dizziness
  • Abdominal pain
  • Skin rashes or discoloration of fingers or toes

When to call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • Confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face

How COVID-19 spreads

The virus is spread mainly from person-to-person:

  • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet or 2 meters)
  • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, sings, talks, or breathes
  • These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs
  • The virus may be spread by people who are infected but are not showing symptoms
  • The more closely a person interacts with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of spread
  • The virus may also be spread through airborne transmission that can infect people more than 6 feet away in enclosed spaces that have inadequate ventilation

The virus may be spread in other ways:

  • It may be possible, but not common, that a person can get the virus by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes

Spread between animals and people:

  • The risk of COVID-19 spreading from animals to people is low
  • The virus can be spread from people to animals in some situations

How to protect yourself and others

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. You can take steps to slow the spread.

Get the Covid-19 vaccine when it is available to your age or priority group:

Wash hands often:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
  • If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands

Avoid close contact (social distancing / physical distancing):

  • Limiting face-to-face contact with others is the best way to reduce the spread of COVID-19
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even inside your home
  • To practice social or physical distancing, stay at least 6 feet or 2 meters from other people

Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover/mask when around others:

  • You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick
  • The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected
  • Everyone should wear a cloth face cover/mask when they have to go out in public (eg. grocery store)
  • Cloth face coverings should not be placed on children under the age of 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or unable to remove the mask without assistance
  • Do not use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker
  • The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing

Cover coughs and sneezes:

  • If you are around others and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze
  • Do not spit in public
  • Throw used tissues in the trash
  • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available

Clean and disinfect:

  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily, including tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks
  • If surfaces are dirty, clean them using detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection
  • Most common household disinfectants will work

Monitor your health:

  • Be alert for symptoms
  • Take your temperature if symptoms develop

When to wear gloves:

  • For the general public, it is recommended to wear gloves when you are cleaning or caring for someone who is sick
  • In most other situations, like running errands, it is not necessary to wear gloves

Testing for COVID-19

Testing is recommended for anyone with cold, influenza, or COVID-19-like symptoms, even mild ones. If an individual has no symptoms, they do not require a test. You can use the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool (https://bc.thrive.health/) to help determine if you need further assessment for COVID-19 testing. If you are still unsure whether to seek medical care or get tested, contact your health care provider or call 8-1-1.

What to do if you are sick

If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19, follow the steps below to care for yourself and to help protect other people in your home and community.

Stay home except to get medical care:

  • Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care
  • Do not leave your home, except to get medical care
  • Do not visit public areas
  • Get rest and stay hydrated
  • Avoid public transportation, ridesharing, or taxis

Separate yourself from other people:

  • As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people and pets in your home
  • If possible, you should use a separate bathroom

Wear a cloth covering over your nose and mouth:

  • If you need to be around other people or animals in or outside your home, wear a cloth face covering
  • You don’t need to wear a cloth face covering if you are alone
  • Cloth face coverings should not be placed on children under the age of 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who is not able to remove the covering without help

Cover your coughs and sneezes:

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
  • Throw away used tissues in a lined trash can
  • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water, or if not available, clean your hands with hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol

Clean your hands often:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for least 20 seconds
  • This is especially important after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, going to the bathroom, and before eating or preparing food
  • Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands

Avoid sharing personal household items:

  • Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people in your home
  • Wash these items thoroughly after using them with soap and water or put them in the dishwasher

Clean all high-touch surfaces every day:

  • Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces with household cleaners while wearing gloves
  • If someone else needs to clean and disinfect, they should do so on an as-needed basis, wear a mask and gloves, and wait as long as possible after the person who is sick has left the room before going in to clean
  • Clean and disinfect areas that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them

Monitor your symptoms:

  • Monitor yourself for symptoms of COVID-19
  • Follow care instructions from your healthcare provider

Call ahead before visiting your doctor:

  • Call ahead and tell them you have or may have COVID-19

When to call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • Confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face

For more information on COVID-19, please check out these resources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

BC Centre of Disease Control
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19

Healthlink BC
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-feature/coronavirus-disease-covid-19

Government of Canada Public Health
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html

World Health Organization
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

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