COVID-19 vaccination appointments scheduled for today through Saturday in Langford are being moved to the air-conditioned Victoria Conference Centre to avoid possible heat-wave related issues.
An Environment Canada warning in effect for Greater Victoria forecasts a “significant heat wave” through Sunday with daytime highs of up to 35 C.
Vaccination appointments at Eagle Ridge Arena for today, Friday and Saturday have been moved 16 kilometres away to downtown Victoria. Lack of air circulation has been a problem there in past heat waves,
Appointment dates and times remain the same and those affected will be contacted and notified, according to Island Health.
Environment Canada said a strong ridge of high pressure is expected to peak today and Friday, resulting in very hot temperatures on the south coast and parts of Vancouver Island and the southern Gulf Islands.
“The duration of this heat wave is expected to last at least three days, and little relief is expected at night with elevated overnight temperatures,” the weather forecaster said in a statement.
These hotter-than-normal temperatures are expected to increase the potential for heat-related illnesses.
Meanwhile, health authorities are trying to see as many people vaccinated against COVID-19 as possible, especially as new cases have been increasing in recent weeks — the large majority among people who are not fully vaccinated.
Anyone age 12 and older can walk in to any Island Health COVID-19 immunization clinic at any time to receive a vaccine. Second doses can be administered a minimum of 28 days after the first.
• A full list of clinics is at covid19.islandclinics.ca.
— Times Colonist
