B.C.’s health minister says 150 patients, long term care residents, and home care patients have been evacuated from the Merritt area.

Speaking during Tuesday’s COVID-19 update, Adrian Dix also said another 48 people will be moved out of Princeton because of the ongoing floods and mudslides.

“It doesn’t seem like a lot of people but in many cases, we are talking about people who are extremely vulnerable and in the case of Merritt in particular, a group of residents on long term care who have already had to move this summer in the course of the evacuations around the wildfires,” Dix said.

Later Tuesday afternoon, Interior Health confirmed those Princeton residents were care home residents at Ridgewood Lodge.

“Interior Health has dealt with a very difficult period related to COVID-19 and with wildfires, and I want to pay tribute to the strength, the bravery, the determination of our teams in that area,” Dix added. “They have faced these challenges and really been there for residents in long term care, residents in assisted living, patients in acute care from the beginning.”

“I want to say to their families that we are continuing to work together to keep you informed of the progress we make. But it is very very difficult thing and I just want to pay tribute to all of our teams in Interior Health, how much we appreciate their work.”

The emergency department in Princeton remain open at this time, but Interior Health says the hospital and the emergency department in Merritt will remain closed until further notice.

They say people who are looking to confirm the status of the loved ones should call 1-877-442-2001.