So here we are.
It is a time in our lives that is unprecedented and challenging; a time that calls on all of us to work together, at a distance, to keep as many people healthy as possible.
As an organization that provides sexual and reproductive health services, we are essential. We know that sex doesn’t stop just because people are staying home. In fact, there is evidence to suggest that anxiety and stressful situations can increase sexual desire for some folks!
What does this mean for the Options Clinical team? It means we are going to keep our essential services running. After careful consideration, we have now limited our clinics to provide only essential services and are utilizing telephone assessments. Services include:
- Contraceptive access
- Symptomatic STI treatment
- Urgent STI Testing/Pregnancy testing (based on clinical judgment)
For the interim, we will not be providing Pap testing or other general sexual health services. We are now also providing sexual health visits through telemedicine for those in communities impacted by COVID-19 closures and who are without access to sexual health services. To book an appointment please call our reception booking line (in the lower mainland 604-731-4252 or toll-free long distance 1-800-739-7367).
We implemented changes at the beginning of last week in order to keep our patients and our staff as safe as we can while remaining accessible. We will be staying open as long as we can with the recognition that most of our staff work other frontline jobs where they are at risk, and also being called upon for more hours.
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Did you know?
Certain STI testing swabs can be used for COVID-19 testing!
Since we aren't currently doing all of our STI testing, we are able to share our swabs with COVID-19 testing spaces across the province!
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Our Sex Sense team is still available Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., giving folks an opportunity to ask a ‘sexpert’ for information and if needed a referral to service.
We are carefully watching the announcements made by both the Public Health Agency of Canada as well as the BCCDC for updates on COVID-19 and encourage everyone to do the same. We recognize that sexual health care is still a necessary service, and we also want to ensure the health and safety of our clients, patients, and staff.
As for the Provincial Office staff, most of us are working from home, continuing to provide information and supplies. We are very much looking forward to a time when we will be able to collaborate in person, teach education sessions in classrooms, and meet with our amazing partners to build a stronger sexual and reproductive health network in BC. So, for now, we will be home, in recognition of the front-line workers and all that they are doing to keep us safe and take care of those in need. We ask that you stay home – maybe try something new or connect with friends online – just please, stay home!
This is a rapidly evolving situation, and we are doing our very best to prepare and keep people safe. As things change, we will continue to update via our website with the most up to date information. We hope you are staying socially connected while physically distancing.
Stay safe - we will get through this together,
The Options Team
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Sharing our hearts while keeping physical distance!
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Looking for COVID-19 resources?
- We are booking telemedicine appointments for those in communities without access to services. Call 604-731-4252 to book an appointment.
- Youth Co. has COVID-19 funds for youth living with HIV and/or Hep C.
- BCCDC has information on COVID-19 for individuals and health care workers.
- Public Health Agency of Canada has up to date information and resources.
- NYC Health has shared some guidelines on safer sex during COVID-19 pandemic.
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