News | DrumhellerMail - Page #886
10072024Mon
Last updateSun, 06 Oct 2024 1pm

Starland County response to COVID 19

IMG 2309

On March 17, 2020, the Government of Alberta declared a state of public health emergency, implementing aggressive public health measures province-wide to limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect Albertans.

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, have travelled outside Canada, or were exposed to someone who has COVID-19, it is mandatory that you stay home for a 14-day isolation period. Take the online health assessment from Alberta Health Services. Do not go to a health care facility without consulting 8-1-1 first. If you have been tested for COVID-19, you will be called directly with your test results. If you need immediate medical attention, call 9-1-1 and inform them that you may have COVID-19.

Starland County Preparedness:

Starland County has now implemented processes and protocols from our Business Continuity Plan to address and maintain all of our essential services, such as water, sewer, fire and snow plowing. Staff are meeting daily to proactively implement measures to try to slow the spread of the virus and mitigate potential impacts on the community. All Starland County Buildings are now closed to the public, however, staff are still working as usual so as to maintain services, taking extra precautions with social distancing and intensified cleaning and sterilization methods.

Starland County Services:

Residents can still access Starland County services through alternative means, either by telephone, email or online at www.starlandcounty.com. You can phone the office for Fire Permits. Bill payments can be paid by cheque or online. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our Administration Office at 403-772-3793 or email info@starlandcounty.com.

We have established a protocol for staff to follow when handling mail and/or other deliveries to limit their exposure to possible contagions. We will no longer be accepting parcel deliveries for third party customers, unless prior arrangements have been made with our Administration Staff. If you have made arrangements, couriers can then deliver your parcel to our step outside our door and you will be required to pick your parcel up the same day before 4 p.m. as we will not be storing these parcels inside our office.

Starland County Additional Supports:

Being isolated can be very difficult. We would like to extend a helping hand to those in need, especially to our seniors and others who may not be able to get groceries or supplies due to health risks. If you or someone you know in the County needs assistance, please contact our office so that we can connect you with supports available in the community.

Starland County is carefully monitoring the COVID-19 health risk for any new developments and will follow protocols in accordance with the Alberta Government recommendations. Please check our website and social media for updates.


Signs available for self isolation

Help and Ok signs 768x576

The town is showing support for residents who have taken the step to self-isolate.

All those who have returned to the country are required to self isolate for 14 days. This also applies to close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases, as well as to any individual with symptoms, such as a fever, cough, sore throat or runny nose. 

The town has created self-isolation signs. 

“They are for people to display in their windows if they are self-isolating, possibly living alone or are elderly. Please watch for these signs as you walk your neighborhood especially if you know someone vulnerable lives there,” states a release.

They can be put up on your front door so delivery people know to just knock and leave your deliveries on the front step. 

RCMP and Peace Officers will be looking for these signs as they drive around and so we encourage people to use them, especially if they require assistance.

The signs are available for download by clicking here or call 403-820-4661 and one will be delivered.

Drumheller Institution MSU under lockdown

penn

A lockdown is in place in the medium security unit at Drumheller Institution as a precautionary measure after some inmates showed symptoms consistent with influenza.

A release states, "The health and safety of our employees, offenders, and the public is our top priority. While we currently have no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our institutions, we continue to take preventative measures and assess and test any offenders as required."

CSC has dedicated health care services in its institutions and is prepared to handle cases of influenza and respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19.

CSC remains in close contact with its public health partners and continues to plan, monitor and engage with authorities during this time.


Subcategories

The Drumheller Mail encourages commenting on our stories but due to our harassment policy we must remove any comments that are offensive, or don’t meet the guidelines of our commenting policy.