Diamond Head Medical Clinic
201-37989 Cleveland Avenue, Squamish, BC Squamish, BC, Canada

My first COVID-19 patient was an eye-opening experience. They were intubated and their condition was getting worse, so a chest X-ray was needed. The atmosphere... in the ward was heavy and uncertain. I was terrified of getting COVID and remember being so careful dressing in my PPE, double and triple checking I had donned and doffed correctly. Since then, I’ve had many COVID patients. It’s really become a part of my daily workflow. I found out I’d be getting the vaccine the same day I got it. It was all of a sudden. As I was waiting in line with other frontline healthcare workers, we chatted about how unreal it all seemed, that the day has finally come and how lucky and grateful we all felt. I know there is a lot of unease around the vaccine being developed so swiftly and people are worried about the side effects. But the pandemic won’t end unless enough people get immunized. I hope that most of the public gets the vaccine. For me, getting immunized means that I’m protecting my loved ones. It means I can hopefully one day be around all my family again. It’s really a huge sense of hope and comfort. Alyshia is a Medical Radiation Technologist at St Paul's Hospital. She works in the ER and ICUs, taking diagnostic X-rays of patients who have COVID-19. She has received the first of two vaccine doses, and continues to treat COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19 public exposure notification for Black’s Pub (7-4340 Sundial Place, Whistler): Jan 5-27 During operating hours... This possible exposure is believed to be low risk, but if you visited on these dates, please self-monitor for symptoms: https://bit.ly/2WOrLzW

To those who don’t take COVID-19 seriously, I wish I could show you what my team and I have seen. The pace of this disease is unbelievable. I see patients come... in who feel a little unwell and within a day they’re on life support, experiencing hypoxemia (low blood oxygen). I see people who are otherwise healthy, in good shape, become gravely ill and deteriorate within hours. And I’m hearing from patients who’ve seemingly recovered, become so-called COVID-19 ‘long-haulers’. Five months later, they’re struggling. But I have reason to hope. Soon, I’ll shake my colleagues’ hands again and thank them for their courage. I’ll have the full team at my side again for critical interventions, during resuscitations. And [laughs] we won’t have headaches or sore ears from wearing PPE for 12 hours straight. And we’ll all meet with our family and friends again. I can't quite believe it has been a year since the first case in BC. In preparation for its arrival, we burned the midnight oil because we could see the crisis escalating elsewhere. There was a general feeling of anxiety. There was also a tremendous feeling of unity. Everyone, from nursing to housekeeping, was crucial in our efforts to prepare. They are all still working so hard 12 months later. To everyone who’s struggling right now I say, please be patient. We’ll get there. I know it is tough. But right now, your efforts will make all the difference to our ICUs in the days and weeks ahead. This is unlike anything we’ve ever faced. But we’ll get through it, I promise you. There will be a time to come together again and celebrate. Dr. Ahmad has been a clinician for 15 years, specializing in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care Medicine. He is the Department Head of Emergency and Critical Care at Island Health.

Hey Squamish! We are still working hard on raising money this month, in light of the 50K Match Campaign, launched by @thebrewcreekcentre on our behalf. We are ...excited to announce that with three weeks left, we have raised $31,000, and only have $19,000 left to reach our goal! . . The Squamish Food Bank, now known as the Market, a part of the Food Hub at Under One Roof, is trying to change the narrative around food access, and what engaging with a food bank has to look like. We are striving towards building a fully inclusive and dignified food access experience for everyone. With your support, we are able to keep our shelves stocked with high-priority items, continue to expand our food rescue work, and continue to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of people in the Squamish community. . . While we always appreciate your support, now is an extra-good time to give, because every dollar you donate this month is matched and doubled! If you’d like to make a donation, please check out our website - https://underoneroofsquamish.ca/donate-food-hub/! . . #charityfundraiser #brewcreekcentre #squamishfood #yvr #localcommunity #market #lovefood #foodaccess #foodsovereignty #feedtheneed See more

Dr Kevin McLeod: While the typical COVID-19 patients he sees are in their 70s and 80s, there are also younger people who contract the virus and are left with lasting impacts. McLeod points to busy young moms in their 40s who could handily run several kilometres previously but feel out of breath climbing a flight of stairs three months after recovering from COVID-19.

AND we are back! Thank you! Our power is out! We cannot make our telehealth calls to our patients but will resume as soon as the power is up and running. ... Thanking our patients for their patience!

Here in BC, people are dying from overdose. If you use drugs, or know someone who does, know how to make it safer.