The emergency room closure in 100 Mile House has been extended a second time.

Interior Health says the ER at the 100 Mile House District General Hospital will remain closed until 4:00 p.m. Monday (Nov. 24) because of “travel impacts on medical staff.”

The ER was closed at 7:00 a.m., and it was due to reopen at 1:00 p.m. That closure was then extended to 2:30 p.m., and people were being redirected to Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake.

“All other inpatient services will continue at 100 Mile District General Hospital,” Interior Health said in a statement.

This is the 22nd emergency room closure in 100 Mile House this year, and the first since the closure on Oct. 19 a little over a month ago.

As has been the case during past emergency room closures, Interior Health said people should call 9-1-1 if they need emergency care, or HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 if they aren’t sure if they need to head to the emergency room.

Last week, B.C. paramedics warned that the number of temporary emergency room closures could be on the rise this winter, and that it would add to the already busy workload of paramedics.

The Ambulance Paramedics of British Columbia (CUPE Local 873) urged people to be prepared for these closures, especially in communities that have seen ER closures this year.

UPDATE: 100 Mile House ER closure extended again due to ‘travel impacts on medical staff’