Twist Salon in Langford has closed after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.
The salon confirmed the positive test on Tuesday and said all affected clients will be contacted directly by Island Health. It also said it was closing as a precautionary measure and they hope to reopen the second week of September.
Just one employee from Twist Salon has tested positive so far, the salon told CHEK.
On Saturday, the salon had announced one of its stylists had been in close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19. The salon said the stylist was in isolation and not showing any symptoms. According to the salon, no other staff members were showing symptoms but all were being tested.
“We have been meticulous about sanitizing, hand washing, and physical distancing. All staff/clients have been required to wear masks or face shields since we’ve reopened, and we have installed plexiglass at all nail desks and the front desk so we are confident that any exposure is minimal,” the salon wrote in its original Facebook post.
The salon had also written on Saturday that provincial health officials considered the potential COVID-19 exposure was very low due to extensive PPE and cleaning procedures and recommended the salon stay open.
Twist Salon is located at Bear Mountain Resort, 1325 Bear Mountain Pkwy, in Langford.
To our valued clients:We have been informed that one of our stylists has been in close contact with someone who has…
Posted by Twist Salon on Saturday, August 22, 2020
Twist Salon is not the first business in Langford to close over the week due to an employee testing positive for COVID-19. Chatters Hair Salon, located in the Westshore Town Centre, announced it would close its doors until Aug. 24, after a stylist tested positive for COVID-19.
Milestones in downtown Victoria also closed for cleaning after an employee tested positive for COVID-19 last week but has since reopened.
Il Falcone, at 536 6th Street in Courtenay, has also temporarily closed until Sept. 3 due to a possible COVID-19 exposure.
The restaurant says Island Health has instructed the staff at Il Falcone to self-isolate for two weeks from Aug. 16 and they are in the process of contacting everyone to cancel upcoming reservations for Aug. 27-30.
ISLAND HEALTH POSSIBLE COVID EXPOSURE NOTIFICATION Temporary Closure August 27 – 30, 2020Dear friends and family of…
Posted by Il Falcone on Monday, August 24, 2020
Il Falcone is the only business currently listed as a possible COVID-19 exposure on the Island Health website. Anyone who went to the restaurant on Aug. 16 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. is asked to monitor for symptoms.
“Island Health will provide updates on the locations and times of known possible exposures to COVID-19 to the public in our region when we have been unable to reach or identify all individuals potentially exposed via contact tracing. A close contact exposure means face-to-face contact for an extended period of time while a person is infectious,” Island Health’s website states.
“The possible exposures listed on this site are believed to be low risk but, out of an abundance of caution, we ask that anyone who may have visited any of the locations listed on the specified dates and times to monitor themselves for symptoms.”
Six new cases were reported in Island Health over the weekend.
The health authority has now had 166 cases since the start of the pandemic as of Aug. 24.
Data on the Island Health website shows since Aug. 20, there have been two new cases in northern Vancouver Island, two new cases in central Vancouver Island and three new cases in southern Vancouver Island. There are 13 active cases in Island Health as of Aug. 24.
Numbers from Island Health showing COVID-19 cases in the health authority on Aug. 24, 2020. (Island Health)
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough or worsening of chronic cough
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Loss of sense of smell or taste
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Muscle aches
While less common, symptoms can also include:
- Stuffy nose
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Dizziness, confusion
- Abdominal pain
- Skin rashes or discoloration of fingers or toes.
Testing is recommended for anyone with cold, influenza or COVID-19-like symptoms, even mild ones. The B.C. COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool is also available for anyone that develops symptoms and can be used to help determine if you need further assessment or testing for COVID-19.
Alexa Huffman
