This will be the page for all COVID-19 information for Tsleil-Waututh Nation Community and Staff. Please come here regularly for updates. Please email communications@twnation.ca or call the Health Centre 604-929-4133 if you have any questions.

Please note the Tsleil-Waututh Nation Administration Office, Community Development Office, Golf Centre, Takaya Tours, and Daycare are closed. Please book an appointment to enter the buildings.

TWN Health Department

April 2022

March 2022

January 2022

December 2021

February 2021

December 2020

BC Centre for Disease Control
BCCDC Common Questions
BCCDC Self Assessment Tool
Province of BC

COVID-19 Bylaw

If you plan to host a a gathering fill out the application for gathering during COVID-19 and send it to communications@twnation.ca.

Application for Gathering During COVID-19
Tsleil-Waututh COVID-19 by-law 2020 COUNCIL APPROVED
2021 COVID bylaw information package for TWN Community 
FAQ June 5-COVID-19

Community Safety

April 8BC Parks are Closed
April 3No Visitors Message

Finance

April 2Financial Supports during COVID-19

November 2020

November 20Community Announcement – New Restrictions

October 2020

October 23Covid-19 Community Update
October 5Covid-19 Community Update

September 2020

September 24Statement For Community
September 11FNHA Gathering Cancellation Recommendations

TWN Health Department – COVID-19 2020 Announcements

August 2020

July 2020

July 25July 25 Update
July 15ISC COVID-19 Message
July 2ISC COVID-19 Message

June 2020

May 2020

April 2020

March 2020

Community Development

As of June 1, 2020 the Tsleil-Waututh Nation School is open.

HR

FAQs

Approved on Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Is Ibuprofen safe to take?

Several unverified sources, including a fake memo claiming to be from the  BC Centre for Disease Control, distributed advice to not take Ibuprofen for COVID-19 symptoms.  The Public Health Agency of Canada is aware of these reports and rumors, including on social media, that reference safety issues with the use of ibuprofen in COVID-19 cases. There is no scientific evidence that establishes a link between ibuprofen and the worsening of COVID-19 symptoms.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, speak with your healthcare provider regarding the most appropriate health products for the treatment of fever or pain. If you are currently taking ibuprofen, especially for a chronic illness, do not stop taking your medication.

Approved on:  Monday, March 23

Is there a way nation members can get tested for the new virus in our homes?

No.  Testing currently is only recommended for people with respiratory symptoms who are:

  • Hospitalized, or likely to be hospitalized
  • Health Care Workers
  • Residents of long term care facilities
  • Part of an investigation of a cluster or outbreak

Testing is not recommended for:

  • People without symptoms
  • Patients with mild respiratory symptoms who can be managed at home, including returning travellers with an onset of illness within 14 days of return to Canada

Testing is mostly done at centralized testing facilities.  If you are told by a health care professional that you need to be tested, you will be advised how and where to access testing.

Approved on: Friday, March 20

What are extra precautions, aside from self-isolation and social distancing ?

To interrupt the spread of COVID19, the most important measures are frequent and thorough handwashing, not touching your face, social distancing (limiting your contact with others outside the house to essentials, like necessary grocery shopping), and self-isolating when you are sick or after returning to Canada from abroad.  If you have Elders or people with underlying health conditions, do the shopping for them.  Some families have one designated “shopper”.

There are family Members with asthma, is it safe for them to be outdoors?

Yes, public health officials are telling us that being outside is great.  The usual precautions apply. Keep a minimum of 2m between yourself and others and avoid crowds. Going out for a walk or a bike ride is fine.

How is the virus spread from person to person?

Coronavirus is transmitted via larger liquid droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. The virus can enter through these droplets through the eyes, nose or throat if you are in close (within 2 meters) contact.

The virus is not known to be airborne (e.g. transmitted through the particles floating in the air) and it is not something that comes in through the skin.

It can be spread by touch if a person has used their hands to cover their mouth or nose when they cough. That’s why we recommend you cough or sneeze into your arm and wash your hands regularly. The virus can also survive on surfaces and you can infect yourself if you touch a contaminated surface and then touch your face.

How can I protect my family and myself from COVID-19?

To interrupt the spread of COVID19 and protect yourself, the most important measures are frequent and thorough handwashing, not touching your face, social distancing (limiting your contact with others outside the house to essentials, like necessary grocery shopping), and self-isolating when you are sick or after returning to Canada from abroad.  If you have Elders or people with underlying health conditions, do the shopping for them.  Some families have one designated “shopper”.  If a person in your family has symptoms, they need to self isolate, ideally in a separate room and limit contact with the family for 14 days.

Approved on: Thursday, March 19

How do you get your teenager/younger child  to understand the importance of social distancing, when all they want to do is spend time with their friends?

This is a great and very relevant question.  Lets break the answer up by age.

Most teenagers will be aware of the threat of this virus and have heard about self-isolating, social distancing, flattening the curve etc.  I would inquire to see what they know and make sure the information is adequate.  They also may have questions and it is important to answer them honestly, without creating fear. It can be helpful to focus on the things we have control over, i.e. washing our hands correctly and frequently, sneezing into our elbows, staying home when sick etc. , and protecting those who are more vulnerable.  Teenagers feel invincible and they also might have heard that this virus is not so bad for younger people.  One tactic to get them to understand the importance of social distancing would be to explain to them that their behaviour is crucial to protect our Elders, their grannies and granddads, aunties and uncles who might get very sick and are those most at risk of dying from severe COVID19 symptoms.  You can direct them to become creative with technology, i.e. socialize via Facetime or create pod casts.  In addition, going outside is not restricted yet as long as we keep 2 m between each other.  Bike riding or going for a walk are good activities right now.

Smaller children will be less aware of COVID19 and our need for social distancing.  Again, it is important to gently find out what they know and what questions they have.  Keep your explanations simple and focus on the positive things you can do to stay safe.  Tell your children who really want to see their friends, that we will have play dates again, but not at this time.  Redirect them to other activities safe activities.  And like with teenagers, it is still ok to go and play outside.

This website has some great advice for parents on how to talk to your child about COVID19.

Approved on: Wednesday, March 18

Is there any information that we can have that will protect our elders and pregnant members, specifically, if those who are supposed to be in isolation?

At this time, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that pregnant women are at a greater risk for more serious outcomes related to COVID-19.  However, it is always important for pregnant  women to protect themselves from illnesses and take the appropriate steps to avoid and prevent infection.  Current recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID19 include:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the washroom and when preparing food
    • use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
  • When coughing or sneezing:
    • cough or sneeze into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand
    • dispose of any tissues you have used as soon as possible in a lined waste basket and wash your hands afterwards
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
  • Clean the following high-touch surfaces frequently with regular household cleaners or diluted bleach (1-part bleach to 9 parts water):
    • toys
    • toilets
    • phones
    • electronics
    • door handles
    • bedside tables
    • television remotes

In addition to the increased hygiene measures, public health officials are also promoting Social Distancing to prevent infection and protect more vulnerable people like our Elders, people with chronic diseases, or people with immune-suppression.

Social distancing can slow the spread of COVID-19 by making a conscious effort to keep a physical distance between each other. Social distancing is proven to be one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of illness during an outbreak. With patience and cooperation, we can all do our part.

This means making changes in your everyday routines to minimize close contact with others, including:

  • Avoiding non-essential gatherings
  • Avoiding common greetings, such as handshakes
  • Avoiding crowded places such as concerts, arenas, conferences and festivals
  • Limiting contact with people at higher risk like older adults and those in poor health
  • Keeping a distance of at least 2 arms lengths (approximately 2 metres) from others, as much as possible

So many questions for our community, will we have some sort of meeting regarding concerns and actions?  

No, we won’t gather due to the recommendation to NOT gather. Informational updates to community  will be strictly through TWN media from the communication team, i.e. website, Facebook and flyers.

I don’t think it’s fair to our kids when certain parents don’t take, they’re self-quarantine seriously.

Only individuals that have returned from trips  outside of Canada or are symptomatic are recommended to self-quarantine for 14 days. If you have not traveled outside of the country the appropriate action is to practice social-distancing.

If someone traveled to states and was down there for a while to big name events. Then came to your house to play, would you say no?

Yes, the appropriate response would be “No”. Your friends should be self-isolating for 14 days.   Once the 14-day self-isolation period is over and they have not developed symptoms, it is ok to resume normal activities while still practicing social-distancing.

I have heard that a community member has been tested for COVID19.  I would like to know the test results.

COVID19 test results are confidential medical information that can only be disclosed by the person who was tested. However, any positive result would be followed up by public health officials.  Public health officials would reach out to anyone who may have been in close contact with  a confirmed case.  You may have heard this referred as contact tracing.