COVID-19
For the latest information on COVID-19 testing and vaccination, please visit these two sites:
Vancouver Coastal Health - COVID Vaccinations
Vancouver Coastal Health - COVID Testing
Information and Answers about COVID-19
What if I need treatment for COVID but I am not/not yet eligible for MSP coverage?
From gov.bc.ca: People who are not eligible for coverage under MSP will be provided provincially insured health coverage for services relating to suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19. Your attending medical professional will be responsible for determining your eligibility for this coverage.
If you have COVID or think you have COVID and need medical treatment, proceed to the emergency room, no matter what your MSP status is.
Mental Health Supports
The following resources for patients and providers are recommended by Powell River's Dr. Saby Ramirez.
Resources Specific to COVID-19:
Pamphlets from Disaster Psychosocial Services Program, Provincial Health Services Authority:
Apps:
- Headspace Meditation - free 10-day trial, then monthly subscription fee
- Mindfulness Coach - free
- Smiling Mind - free
Managing Risk During the Pandemic
"There’s been a polarization between two purported options of staying home indefinitely … versus going back to business as usual. The idea of harm reduction gives us a way of thinking about risk as a continuum and thinking about the middle ground between those two options."
-Julia Marcus, infectious disease epidemiologist at Harvard
The quotation above and the image below are from an early-pandemic article at vox.com. Even now, over two years into the pandemic, the idea of risk management and harm reduction still holds true. Click the link above to read the article.
COVID-19 in qathet
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak as a pandemic. qathet doctors and nurse practitioners, along with our partners in health care and government, have been working hard in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please stay safe, vigilant and thoughtful of others for the best results.
With many sources reporting on the outbreak, physician members can refer to BC Centre for Disease Control – primary care website and refer patients to the BCCDC COVID-19 page to access important updates, resources, and practical information. Additional recommended resources include:
• HealthLink BC (Public Health Alerts)
• College of Family Physicians of Canada
Resources for provider wellness and patient psychological care are available HERE.