Category Archives: Health

COVID-19 tests For islanders with mild symptoms

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Island residents with cold or flu symptoms can now be tested for COVID-19 as B.C. health authorities shift their focus to fighting community spread of the virus and identifying and investigating new clusters.

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Namgis Elder’s Death Heightens Concern

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The shutdown of First Nations communities is more crucial than ever with the sad news that an Indigenous elder from another island has died from COVID-19, says a Quadra Island, B.C., council member.

“My first thought was real sadness to hear this,” We Wai Kai Councillor Ted Lewis said. “It hurts all First Nations to hear this. Quite a few members have family up there, lots of people are related to that community.”

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Advice From A Dutch Doctor

Dr. Erik Hockheimer was a general practitioner in the Netherlands before giving up his practice to work with Doctors Without Borders which he did in many countries throughout the world and continues to support an advisor. As a GP he was very involved in the HIV epidemic and that led him to co-author and edit a book on viruses called Virology, published in 1991. While with Doctors Without Borders he continued to work with tropical diseases, HIV, Hepatitis B, and Ebola. He’s retired now but still consults with a number of NGOs particularly around helping refugees. 

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New COVID-19 Survey Stats May Not Reflect Elder Cortes & Quadra Islanders

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Seniors are the most likely age group to be extremely worried about their health and social isolation during COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new Statistics Canada survey. But the older residents on Quadra and Cortes, rural islands located off B.C.’s west coast may be bucking that trend.

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