Community Links is a nonprofit, charitable organization which provides support and services to individuals and families in Airdrie and surrounding areas, North Rocky View Region.

About Us

Monetary Donations

If you would like to make a monetary donation to Community Links, please contact Suzanne Howe, Executive Assistant by phone: 403-945-3900; toll free 1-866-945-3905 or e-mail: info@nrvcl.ab.ca

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Swine Flu Memo

April 29, 2009

As you may be aware, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Andre Corriveau, has put the province’s health system on alert in light of cases of human swine flu reported in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. This alert is a cautionary step and primarily targeted at raising awareness of the need for Albertans to take precautions against the influenza virus and the spread of infection.

At present, there have been mild cases of the new strain reported in Alberta. Influenza can spread quietly, and people who are infected can spread the virus before they even start showing symptoms. One of the biggest problems with flu is that it causes symptoms similar to those of other viruses and bacteria. Fever, headache, muscle aches, dry cough, extreme tiredness, all these can be caused by numerous other infections.

Community Links Child Care Program will be monitoring the situation closely to make certain our day homes maintain healthy environments for your children. Public health officials are asking people to protect themselves against the influenza outbreak. Here are some ways to protect your family:

• If your child is sick, keep them at home. Avoid contact with others when sick.

• Teach your children to wash hands frequently with soap for 20 seconds. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself. Your day home provider will continue to promote proper hygiene while your children are in care.

• Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of the elbow or sleeve. Be sure to set a good example by doing this yourself.

• Teach your children not to touch their eyes, nose or mouth after touching door handles and other surfaced that may harbor influenza and other viruses.

Alberta Health and Wellness is asking anyone who develops a fever or cough and has recently returned or had contact with someone recently returned from Mexico or the southern U.S., to call Health Link Alberta for advice before visiting a physician’s office, urgent care centre or emergency room. Health Link can be reached by calling 403-943-5465 or toll free at 1-866-408-5465.

While this situation will, naturally, cause concerns for many parents, we want to ensure you that our first and foremost priority will be the health and safety of all children in care as well as their providers and families, and therefore, decisions will be made accordingly. At the present time, we believe your child’s day home does not impose any health risks. Should at any time conditions change, we will take appropriate steps to deal with the situation. Thank-you for your ongoing support and co-operation.

Sincerely,

Joanne Shannahan
Family Child Care Team Leader