Squamish Nation: Covid-19 Community Update – January 15

There are active cases in the community. We must stay vigilant in our efforts to comply with all of the general COVID safety protocols.

If you test positive, you are asked to self-isolate for 14 days. If you came into contact with someone who tested positive, were exposed to COVID-19 or have been advised by Vancouver Coastal Health, you are to stay home (quarantine) and monitor for symptoms for 14 days. Going into quarantine can help to prevent spread of the virus from people with COVID-19 before they feel ill or have symptoms.

If you have tested positive or been exposed and have any questions regarding self-isolation periods, please call 8-1-1.

The Nation does not receive names of confirmed cases or members advised to self-isolate/quarantine. Please reach out to us if you require support.

Squamish Nation members can call the Member Services Department to receive emergency assistance and care while you isolate at 604-982-7610 during office hours or 604-505-3776 after hours.

Squamish Nation Guardians

The Squamish Nation has a new guardians program to assist our community through the pandemic and part of a public awareness campaign. They report to the Emergency Coordinator (David Harrison) who reports to the Emergency Operations Director (Paul Wick). There are five Squamish Nation Guardians including three Guardians in North Vancouver and two Guardians in Squamish.

The Squamish Nation Guardians safely engage with members of the public to make residents aware of the physical distancing directives and provide education on public etiquette and courtesies for the shared use of outdoor spaces.

Work completed to-date:
• Checked in with community members having to isolate/quarantine due to COVID-19
• Delivered over 100 Squamish Nation COVID lawn signs (more available upon request)
• Delivered over 50 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) care packages including gloves, masks, and sanitizer
• Fixed and repaired damaged and vandalized signs
• Patrolled high exposure areas and cleaned up

In the coming months:
• Assisting in the setup and operation of the upcoming Squamish Nation COVID Vaccination site
• Continue to support community members in relation to COVID activities
• Delivering care packages and assisting Member Services with deliveries
• Helping to minimize and prevent COVID exposure within the community through education and prevention

If you would like to request a lawn sign, which notifies others that you are not accepting visitors at this time, please contact:
Squamish Valley: 604-892-5166
North Vancouver: 604-982-7600

The phone number for the Squamish Nation’s Guardians is 604-374-2687.

PHO order on province-wide restrictions

By order and direction of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), all events and social gatherings are suspended to reduce COVID-19 transmission related to social interactions and travel.

The order is in effect from November 19, 2020 at midnight and was extended to February 5, 2021 at midnight.

Social Gatherings
• No social gatherings of any size at your home with anyone other than your household or core bubble. Do not host gatherings indoors or outdoors.
• The following are not considered social gatherings: going for a walk, parents carpooling children to and from school, family members providing child care, and construction workers or trades people providing services.

Core bubble
• For most people, their core bubble is their immediate household (people who live in your home). This can include roommates.
• For others, including people who live alone, their core bubble may include a partner, relative, friend or co-parent who lives in a different household. This should be a maximum of one or two people outside of those living in your immediate household.

Masks
• Masks are required for everyone in all public indoor settings and workplaces including grocery stores, restaurants, and Squamish Nation offices.
• People who cannot wear a mask or who cannot put on or remove a mask on their own are exempt from wearing a mask; this includes those two years old and younger.

Travel Advisory
• While not an order, all non-essential travel should be avoided. This includes travel in/out of BC and between regions of the Province. It is advised to stay close to home.

Click here for more information on the PHO Orders

COVID-19 Vaccine

There is no update on when the Squamish Nation will receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Only Home Care Assistant vaccinations are in the current conversations. We will provide updates to the community as more information becomes available.

Who will get vaccinated first?
• Initially, only small quantities of the vaccine will be available, requiring that vaccinations take place in a sequenced rollout.
• Health care workers
• Staff and residents in long-term care homes
• First Nations in rural or remote areas
• Older adults (Elders). The age requirement for Indigenous adults will be lower than the rest of the population due to a higher rate of health risks and other factors that have affected equitable access to health care.

What are the vaccine side effects?
• There are only minor side effect observed in clinical trials, similar to ones you might get from any shots.
• These include pain at injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain and fever. These reactions are mild and generally last one to two days. They are evidence that your immune system is working to respond to the vaccine.
• Should you develop any serious symptoms or symptoms that could be an allergic reaction, seek medical attention right away. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: hives, swelling of the face, tongue or throat; and difficulty breathing. This is why you are asked to wait 15 minutes before you leave the clinic after getting a vaccination.
• If you have experienced a serious allergic reaction to another vaccine, drug or food, you should talk to your health professional before you receive the vaccine.

For additional information about vaccines, you can read the First Nations Health Authority What You Need to Know about the COVID-19 Vaccine or view The facts about COVID-19 Vaccines Poster.

Musqueam and Cowichan Tribes

On behalf of the Squamish Nation, we would like to offer our thoughts and prayers to Musqueam and Cowichan Tribes, who recently announced that there are COVID-19 cases in their communities.

We are all united in navigating through this pandemic. Our thoughts and solidarity are with Musqueam and Cowichan Tribes.

We want to recognize the efforts of our members to protect our community from the spread of this virus. We’re all in this together. We will get through it together.

PHONE NUMBERS

Member Services Department: 604-982-7610 during office hours or 604-505-3776 after hours

Health Department
Yúustway Health & Wellness: 604-982-0332
Kal’numet Primary Care: 604-985-2052

Squamish Nation’s Guardians: 604-374-2687

To request a Squamish Nation COVID-19 lawn sign (not accepting visitors at this time):
Squamish Valley: 604-892-5166
North Vancouver: 604-982-7600

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