UPDATE: Interior Health to reopen Nicola Valley Hospital on Monday

MERRITT, B.C. — UPDATE: Interior Health says Merritt’s emergency department will re-open to the public on Monday (Nov. 29).

IH says the Nicola Valley Hospital and Health Centre’s ER will be open from 12:00 noon to 6:30 p.m. on Monday. Then beginning Tuesday, the department will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., seven days a week.

Meantime, IH notes COVID-19 testing will resume in Merritt this Friday (Nov. 26).

EARLIER: As residents of Merritt slowly begin returning to the city, they are doing so with a boil-water advisory in effect, while being asked to conserve water, and with no emergency medical services. BC Ambulance is operating in the city, however patients will need to be transferred to Kamloops for ongoing care.

Interior Health Medical Health Officer, Dr. Carol Fenton told CFJC News, they hope to reopen the Nicola Valley Hospital on Friday.

“The goal is to open the hospital for Friday. That is a tentative plan,” said Fenton. “There are multiple logistics that need to be sorted through. Water quality, air quality inspections, staffing, we need to make sure the staff can get back home and be available for shifts.”

“If you have an unstable medical condition, maybe wait, stay closer to services,” added Fenton.

The doctor also advised residents to ensure that their tetanus booster shots are up to date.