COVID-19 - Important Updates & Resources
Update to Public Health Orders:
On April 8, 2022, the BC PHO announced that the Public Health Order to show your BC Vaccine Card to access certain services, businesses, etc. has been lifted.
At this time, Squamish Nation Members/visitors attending community events, offices, or buildings will not be required to show proof of vaccination via the vaccine passport.
Wearing masks and respecting the physical space of others is encouraged, though mask wearing is no longer mandated. Continue to wash your hands and/or use sanitizer frequently throughout the day and avoid touching your face.
Please note, individual businesses and organizations can choose to continue requiring the Vaccine Passport on their premises. Certain services are to follow other provincial guidelines/protocols, such as the Ministry of Education and daycare facilities, and may not reflect the above.
We raise our hands in thanks to all of our employees and community for the continued patience and working together during these challenging times.
COVID-19 In The Community
It’s important that we all continue to follow provincial Public Health Orders and guidelines to keep ourselves and those most vulnerable in our community safe.
Remember to:
- Wash your hands frequently, and use hand sanitizer when you’re unable to wash hands.
- Social distance whenever possible in public settings.
- Mask wearing is encouraged, although no longer mandated, in indoor public settings.
If you have questions about COVID-19 or the vaccine, reach out to a health professional, physician or a nurse for more information. Contact Yúustway (Health & Wellness) at 604-982-0332 and Kal’numet Primary Care at 604-985-2052 to be connected to the information you need.
Squamish Nation Members can call Ts’ixwts’ixwnítway (Member Services) to receive emergency assistance and care while you isolate: 604-982-7610 during office hours or 604-505-3776 after hours.
The FNHA Health Benefits Isolation Support team can also help you with accommodation, travel and meals if you need to self-isolate. To see if you are eligible or to find out more, please call 1-888-305-1505. To speak with a doctor, you can call the First Nations Virtual Doctor the Day phone line at 1-855-344-3800.
Find the most up to date COVID-19 restrictions on the Government of BC website.
COVID-19 Rapid Tests
Yúustway (Health & Wellness) has a limited number of COVID-19 rapid tests available for Nation Members.
To receive a rapid test, you must:
- Have had symptoms for at least 24 hours but less than 5 days.
Tests are not available for:
- Anyone without symptoms of COVID-19.
- People wanting a negative test for travel, work or visiting a vulnerable community member.
- People wanting to attend a gathering or event.
If you would like to request a test, please contact Yúustway (Health & Wellness) at 604-982-0332.
You will be asked a series of screening questions by a trained staff member to determine if a rapid test is the best option for you. We are encouraging those who are confirmed access to a test to please send a family member for pick up or contact the office for alternatives.
This memo is intended to warn community members who have received rapid antigen test kits about the risks associated with accidental ingestion and skin exposure of the rapid antigen test kit liquid solutions.
- Keep rapid antigen test kits and solutions out of the reach of children and pets.
- Do not swallow the solutions, and avoid eye and skin contact.
- Wash hands thoroughly after use.
- If spillage occurs, rinse well with water.
- Follow all instructions for proper disposal.
- Report any health product-related side effects or complaints to Health Canada.
- Contact the BC Poison Information Centre (1-800-567-8911) or a health care provider in cases of accidental ingestion of chemicals or direct skin exposure.
Read the Public Advisory from the Government of Canada.
– Many test kits include liquid solutions with chemical preservatives, such as sodium azide and proclin that may be poisonous if swallowed or absorbed through the skin, particularly in children and pets.
– Small doses of sodium azide can lower blood pressure, and larger doses may cause more serious health effects.
– Proclin is also found in many kits. It contains chemicals that can cause skin and eye irritation, as well as allergic reactions.
– Accidental ingestion or skin exposure to very small quantities of liquid solutions would not be expected to cause the serious effects associated with larger doses. However, even small amounts may cause effects in small children and pets.
– Health Canada is aware of approximately 50 calls made to poison centres in Canada related to accidental exposure, which have resulted in minor health outcomes.
Rapid tests are not always accurate. Please stay home and isolate from others if you are:
- Testing positive with a Rapid Antigen test or PCR test, or
- Experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 but have not yet been tested, or
- Experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 but are testing negative.
If you are fully vaccinated you should isolate for 5 days from onset of symptoms, or longer if symptoms persist.
If you are only partially vaccinated or unvaccinated, you should isolate for a period of 10 days from onset of symptoms or longer if symptoms persist.
COVID-19 Vaccinations
COVID-19 vaccinations are an important part of keep our communities safe and individuals age 5+ are now eligible! If you need to receive your first or second dose, or your booster shot, find a clinic near you on the Government of BC website or at squamish.net/covid-vaccines
Why is it important to get vaccinated?
Vaccines are the best way to protect you against the virus. All vaccines distributed in Canada are carefully reviewed by Health Canada and proven to be safe and effective. Vaccines are carefully monitored and evidence overwhelmingly shows that those who received a COVID-19 vaccine were less likely to become sick with the virus. Fully vaccinated people are also almost completely protected against severe illness (hospitalization and death), which is the main purpose of getting a vaccine.
Indigenous people may be disproportionately affected by COVID-19. When you get immunized, you help protect others as well, including those who are unable to get the vaccine. The more people in a community who are vaccinated, the harder it is for the virus to spread and mutate.
