Good Health Preparedness Tips

Take common sense precautions to prevent the spread of germs and practice good health habits.

  • Wash your hands regularly with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve to avoid contaminating your hands or spreading the virus through infected droplets.
  • Throw away used tissues promptly.
  • Frequently clean and disinfect household surfaces such as door handles and light switches that may have been contaminated.
  • Get a flu shot

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

Everyone has a role to play in easing the spread of COVID-19 and lessening its impact. You can do your part by ensuring you’re prepared to stay home if you’re asked to or if you get sick.

Know Where to Find Reliable COVID-19 Information:

Visit the BC Centre for Disease Control where you will find a Digital Assistant to help you navigate COVID-19 information. Here you will also find translated content in Chinese, Punjabi, Farsi, French, Cantonese, Mandarin and American Sign Language.

There’s an App for that! Download the BC COVID-19 App to get updates, critical Alerts, self-assessment tool and resources from public health, or Join the conversation online @CDCofBC

Another great resource for trusted information about COVID-19 is the Public Health Agency of Canada where you will also find a virtual assistance and the downloadable Canada COVID-19 App with Daily Symptom Tracker, or join the conversation online @GovCanHealth.

COVID-19 Provincial Support and Information provides translated content and information and resources related to child care, children and youth, education, employment and finances, businesses, housing and monthly bills, transportation, travel and tourism, health care and mental health and more.

Get in Touch:

For non-medical information about COVID-19, call 1.888.COVID19 (1.888.268.4319), 7:30am - 8pm, 7 days a week.

If you have questions about your health, call 8-1-1 at any time or speak with your health care provider.

Seniors can call 2-1-1 for information on support services including meal delivery, help with cooking, delivery of groceries and medications, wellness calls and visits.

Be Prepared, Be Well: Mental Health and Wellness

This pandemic has changed many of our lives. For some of us, we’re now working from home and some of us suddenly have more time on our hands. Many of us are wondering: how can we support each other? How can we deal with anxiety? What should we do with our spare time?

Fortunately, the City of Victoria has compiled a list of resources, ideas and initiatives to help us all through this pandemic, even if physically distant or visit Building Resilient Neighbourhoods to learn practical ways that neighbours are helping neighbours through the pandemic.

The COVID-19 Pandemic is a very stressful event. It is common for people to experience stress and anxiety, and also display great resiliency in times of crisis. Remember even though we can’t be close physically, we need to stay close emotionally. Download 5 Steps to Manage COVID-19 Stress.

  1. Know the facts
  2. Reach out
  3. Have calm conversations
  4. Practice self-care
  5. Seek help

A number of great resources are available to British Columbians of all ages during the COVID-19 pandemic through expanded mental health programs and new services including virtual mental health supports, virtual counselling services, peer support and more.

Supports are available for healthcare workers, youth, students and educators, parents, seniors, victims of family and sexual violence and Indigenous people. Visit the Canadian Mental Health Association – BC Division for more information.