Mukw' tu shhwa'luqwa 'o' tth'ele's tu shhwuli The family is the heart of life
COVID-19 Response
A Message from Chief William 'Chip' Seymour
Greetings Cowichan Tribes Elders and Members,
Please review the videos and information on this page for updates on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and continued office closure and essential services.
I hope that everyone is being careful and keeping each other safe and healthy. It's especially important to help Elders during this pandemic,and to follow all health guidelines (physical distancing, wearing masks, frequent washing of hands, no gatherings, etc.).
On behalf of the elected Council, I would like to acknowledge staff who are working hard to provide essential services,
and to extend our gratitude to the membership for your patience and understanding. Huy tseep q'u.
For the self-assessment tool and full list of symptoms go to: https://bc.thrive.health/
Getting tested and self-isolating is how we can look out for one another and keep each other safe.
If you have tested postive for COVID-19 you MUST self-isolate. If you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been identified as a close contact, please self-isolate and get tested as soon as possible.
TRANSPORTATION TO COVID-19 TESTING SITE OR HOSPITAL
To prevent the spread of the virus do not ride share to the testing site. Drive alone or call Ts'ewulhtun Health at (250) 746-6184.
Transportation is available:
Weekdays 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Weekends 8:30 AM - 9:00 PM
To make an appointment at Island Health's testing site call: 1-844-901-8442 or text a Ts'ewulhtun Health Centre Nurse at (250) 732-0087 if not able to call.
Quick and easy! Get your COVID-19 Test results by Text: https://results.bccdc.ca/
Contact Tracing
Contacting tracing is an important tool to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the community. If you get sick, you can help by telling public health nurses about the people you have been in close contact with.
This is how it works:
1. When a person tests positive for COVID-19, they become a “case”.
2. A public health nurse interviews the case to identify people they’ve spent time with. These people are “contacts.”
3. Public health gets in touch with the contacts and asks them about symptoms of COVID-19.
4. Not every contact needs to be identified: only those who could have been exposed to the case’s respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing or speaking.
5. Public health maintains the case’s privacy. A case can choose to tell others about their diagnosis, but should not undertake their own contact tracing.
6. Contacts with symptoms are sent for testing.
7. If they test positive, they become a ‘case’ and the process repeats.
8. Contacts with no symptoms are asked to self-isolate and monitor for symptoms for 14 days after their last contact with the case.
Do stay home for 14 days
Work from home. Avoid contact with others in your home.
Do stay in contact with Medical personnel
Island Health nurses, or your family Doctor (or Ts’ewulhtun Nurses).
Do protect others
Wash your hands frequently (hand hygiene). Cough into your sleeve (respiratory etiquette). Keep 2 meters (6 feet) away from others (physical distancing). Always wear a mask when not in your room. Use separate bathroom when possible. Keep older adults and people with chronic medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, lung problems, heart disease or weakened immune system) away from the infected person.
Do clean all high-touch surfaces
Toilets, bedside tables and door handles should be cleaned daily using a store bought disinfectant or diluted bleach solution. Allow the surface to remain wet for 1 minute. If they can withstand the use of liquids for disinfection, high-touch electronics such as phones, computers and other devices should be disinfected with 70% alcohol .
Do wash laundry thoroughly
Contaminated laundry should be placed in a laundry basket with a plastic liner. Wear gloves and mask when handling. Wash with regular laundry soap and hot water (60-90°C). Clean your hands with soap and water immediately after removing your gloves
Do Access Delivery services
Use food delivery services or online shopping (groceries, medication etc.).
Do monitor your symptoms
If your symptoms worsen or you are having trouble breathing, call 9-1-1. Notify the dispatcher that you have or may have COVID-19.
Do not go to school, work or other public areas
(e.g. grocery stores, pharmacy, malls, fitness center, place of worship)
Do not share household items
Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding or other items with the person who is sick. After use, these items should be washed with soap or detergent in warm water. No special soap is needed. Dishwashers and washing machines can be used. Do not share cigarettes or other items that are put in the mouth.
Do not have visitors
Except for individuals providing care or delivering food/supplies. In that case, maintain a distance of 2 meters and wear a mask.
Do not share personal items with others
Including toothbrushes, towels, linens, thermometers, cigarettes, unwashed utensils, and electronic devices (such as phones and computers).
Do not use public transportation or ride sharing