COVID-19 Information and Resources for Community Members
The Surrey-North Delta Division of Family Practice is here to provide COVID-19 information to members of our community. To begin, please select your area of interest:
Information and Symptoms
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 the new coronavirus has been named COVID-19. COVID-19 was first identified in late 2019. It was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- cough
- fever
- sore throat
- difficulty breathing
If you experience any of the above symptoms, please do not visit a clinic, urgent care centre or emergency room unless it's an emergency. If you are unsure whether to seek medical care or get tested, contact your family physician, health care provider or call or send a chat message to the Fraser Health Virtual Care team at 1-800-314-0999 between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. seven days a week.
See Also:
COVID-19 Symptoms (BCCDC)
How COVID-19 Spreads (BCCDC)
BC Self-Assessment Tool (BC Ministry of Health)
Video: COVID-19 FAQ (Dr. Lu)
Video: MORE COVID-19 Questions Answered (Dr. Lu)
Isolation and Testing
If you develop cold, influenza or COVID-19-like symptoms, please self-isolate and get tested for COVID-19.
Self-isolating involves the following steps:
- limit contact with others (do not leave the house, maintain a distance of 2 meters from others, do not touch pets if in a shared household, use a separate bathroom from other household members, if possible)
- keep hands clean (wash regularly with soap, avoiding touching your face, couch or sneeze into your elbow)
- avoid contaminating items and surfaces used by others (put the toilet lid down before flushing, clean surfaces at least once daily, do not share personal items)
- care for yourself (monitor your symptoms, get enough rest,eat healthy foods)
- contact your health care provider immediately if symptoms worsen
To get tested, find your local collection centre on the COVID-19 test booking form. You can also call 8-1-1 to find the nearest centre.
As drop-ins are limited, pre-booking is highly recommended. To ensure Fraser Health is able to collect a sample for booked appointments, they may not be able to accommodate drop-ins late in the day.
See Also:
Self-Isolation Fact Sheet (Government of Canada)
COVID-19 Self-Assessment and Self-Isolation Web Page (Healthlink BC)
Self-Isolation Guide (Fraser Health)
Video: Do I Need a Mask? (Dr. Lu)
Seeing a Doctor
Do you have an on-going health concerns that is not related to COVID-19? Family physicians in Surrey-North Delta are still seeing patients.
Call your doctor’s office just as you normally would to book your appointment. The medical office staff will advise you on whether they are offering in-person and/or virtual care. Some doctors’ offices have online booking systems as well. Patients should not go to their doctor’s offices without phoning ahead.
Many health concerns can be addressed in a virtual appointment. If your doctor determines that you need to be seen in person, they will arrange for you to visit their office or another clinic. Dr. Yvette Lu was on Breakfast Television to explain what seeing your doctor is like during the pandemic.
Visit the Pathways Virtual Directory to find family physicians currently providing virtual care in our community.
What is virtual care?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, BC’s physicians are using “virtual care” (connecting with patients through telephone or video) more than ever before.
Virtual care keeps you safe and helps you practice physical distancing. It also keeps your doctor safe so that they can keep caring for your needs during this difficult time.
Virtual appointments are covered by the BC Medical Services Plan. If you need to see your doctor in person, they will arrange to do that in a safe way or refer you to another someone who can.
See also:
Video: Healthcare During the Pandemic (Dr. Lu)
Getting vaccinated
Anyone over the age of 12 can register for a vaccine. Individuals born in 2009 or earlier (12+) can register online or call 1-833-838-2323 (toll free). The wait time between first and second doses is currently 8 weeks. If you did not register to receive your first dose you must register in order to book your second dose.
To learn more about how to book your vaccine appointment, please click here.
To learn more about the province's immunization plan, please click here.
For teachers or parents
Each school district is required to develop strict health and safety guidelines to support safe learning. Return to school plans are available for the following school districts:
Surrey School District
Delta School District
BCCDC has put together a resource for parents on how families can prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Each COVID-19 case is taken seriously by contact tracers. If Fraser Health suspects that there may have been exposure events at schools in the health authority, close contacts will be notified and the school will be posted on the Fraser Health website.
