Interior Health says the emergency department at the Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital in Clearwater will be closed for the next eight nights, starting tonight.

The closures due to limited staff availability will begin at 6 p.m. on August 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, with the emergency department opening at 7 a.m. the following day.

“Interior Health regrets this temporary change to normal operations,” a statement said, noting the facility is expected to return to 24-hour service at 7 a.m. next Friday, Aug. 19.

“During this time, all other inpatient services will continue as normal at Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital.”

People are being told to call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency, or call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 if they are not sure if they need to seek emergency care.

They’re also being directed to either Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops or the 100 Mile House District General Hospital.

There have been well over two dozen ER closures in Clearwater this year, but Interior Health previously told NL News that relief could be coming by mid-September.