Musqueam Chief & Council COVID-19 Update

As of October 3, there are three off-reserve Musqueam members who tested positive for COVID-19, and one individual quarantining on reserve.

There are procedures in place to assists members diagnosed with COVID-19. Support from Chief, Council and administration has been provided to these individuals, along with all necessary information and constant communication with MIB Health. Please be aware that these individuals did not contract the virus on reserve.

Watch this video message from Chief Wayne Sparrow to learn more.

Keeping Musqueam informed

The information pathway to Musqueam Health when an individual tests positive for COVID-19 is:

First –> individual who tested positive

• • Provincial health officials notify the person first.
  • Once the individual is confirmed, contact tracing begins immediately. Any known contacts are informed and ordered to quarantine.

Second –> Chief and/or Health Department

If you are personally at risk, you will be contacted in a timely manner, usually in 24 – 48 hours.

If a member lives off reserve, it is harder for Musqueam Health to be notified of the confirmed case. Musqueam informed public health officials of the importance of notifying our health department of any case within our community, so that we can prepare to support the individual, family and entire community.

We want to keep all community members safe, whether living on reserve or away from home.

At the bottom of this post is more information on who to contact if you live away from home (off reserve) and are diagnosed with COVID-19, or if you need to request support with essential supplies during COVID-19, especially if you are required to self isolate.

COVID-19 on reserve

Musqueam is in a favourable position because of the access to many health professionals on reserve, including our own doctor, nurse practitioner, registered nurses, home care and mental wellness clinicians. As well, our primary care clinic conducts COVID-19 testing on reserve.

It is a reality that Musqueam will eventually have an on-reserve COVID-19 case. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, please notify Musqueam Health so that we can support you to self isolate. When a case is confirmed, we ask that community come together to support the individual and each other to make sure we stay safe.

Musqueam made the difficult decision to prohibit all gatherings until further notice. This includes weddings, funerals, ceremonies of any kind, longhouse, canoe club, etc.

Watch this video message from Councillor Howard Grant to learn more.

Self-isolation and symptom monitoring

If you are tested for COVID-19, you must self-isolate until you receive your results, and your family should also stay home until confirmed negative. That means not sending your children to school if you are waiting on test results.

Self-isolation means staying home and avoiding situations where you could come in contact with others. You should not self-isolate in a place where you will be in contact with vulnerable people, such as seniors and individuals with underlying health conditions.

The BC Centre for Disease Control has information for people who are self-monitoring COVID-19 symptoms, including a 14-day tracking sheet for temperature and symptoms. Use this form if you were exposed to a COVID-19 case or you returned from travel outside of Canada.

Self-monitoring for COVID-19 means you pay attention to your health, and recording your temperature and symptoms every day. Self monitor for 14 days from when you return to Canada or were last exposed to a COVID-19 case. The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other respiratory illnesses including the flu and common cold and can also include gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

COVID-19 reminders

As we move into cold and flu season, please stay within your own small bubble of no more than 6 people and limit yourself to only those individuals.

Remember the safety protocols of COVID-19:

• Physical distance – 6 feet (2 metres)
• Wash your hands frequently, or use hand sanitizer
• Wear masks when physical distance cannot be maintained

Above all, please practice our snəw̓eyəɬ – our Musqueam teachings, and have respect for one another.

Questions?

MIB COVID-19  
[email protected]
604 269 3444

Musqueam Primary Care Clinic — 604-266-0043
Community Health Nurse — 604-362-9200
HealthLink BC — 811

Contact the MIB Health Department to report potential COVID-19 exposure and immediately isolate. This includes if you feel ill with mild symptoms or have returned home from recent travel.