COVID-19

More than 150 unmasked anti-vaccine protesters stormed the Canadian Tire store in Nanaimo on Monday, Nov. 1, drawing a police response. (File photo)

More than 150 anti-vaccine protesters storm Nanaimo store

No arrests made after ‘disruption’ at Canadian Tire causes most staff to vacate building, say RCMP

More than 150 unmasked anti-vaccine protesters stormed the Canadian Tire store in Nanaimo on Monday, Nov. 1, drawing a police response. (File photo)
Vaccine cards not required for activities at the pool, sauna and steam room at B.C. facilities like the Cowichan Aquatic Centre. (File photo)

Users sweating the details, no vaccine cards required for B.C. steam rooms, saunas

Some users steamed, but Public Health Office says it’s based on medical data

Vaccine cards not required for activities at the pool, sauna and steam room at B.C. facilities like the Cowichan Aquatic Centre. (File photo)
Around 30 members of the public demonstrated by the side of Highway 97 Tuesday, including Mart Blazina, to stand in solidarity with healthcare workers saying no to mandatory vaccines. (Patrick Davies photo - 100 Mile Free Press)

5,226 health-care workers in B.C. remain unvaccinated as new mandate comes into effect

Employees had been placed on leave for two weeks but now face termination if they don’t comply

Around 30 members of the public demonstrated by the side of Highway 97 Tuesday, including Mart Blazina, to stand in solidarity with healthcare workers saying no to mandatory vaccines. (Patrick Davies photo - 100 Mile Free Press)
Salmon Arm Secondary graduate Michael Worobey, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona, provides information on the coronavirus and vaccine. (Contributed)

Virus specialist raised in Salmon Arm recommends more COVID rapid testing

Michael Worobey says vaccines ‘incredibly safe,’ still effective against delta variant

Salmon Arm Secondary graduate Michael Worobey, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona, provides information on the coronavirus and vaccine. (Contributed)
Self-reported rates of anxiety and depression increased during parts of the pandemic. File photo.

Stats Canada reports significant pandemic-related jumps in depression and anxiety

Public health officer: ‘Huge amount of work ahead of us with restoring resiliency in our communities’

Self-reported rates of anxiety and depression increased during parts of the pandemic. File photo.
Island Health declared an outbreak that occurred at Victoria Chinatown Care Centre in September is now over. (Black Press Media file photo)

COVID-19 outbreak at Victoria long-term care home declared over

Victoria Chinatown Care Centre saw two cases on Sept. 19, no other cases since

Island Health declared an outbreak that occurred at Victoria Chinatown Care Centre in September is now over. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. (Courtesy of B.C. government)

Vancouver Island sees far more surgery delays due to COVID-19 than rest of B.C.

157 surgeries postponed at Island hospitals Sept. 26 to Oct. 2; next highest health authority had 57

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. (Courtesy of B.C. government)
Jennifer Rosebluff-Thomas, left, poses with her sister Carol Charles in this undated handout photo. Rosebluff-Thomas died of COVID-19 last month. She was about 29 weeks pregnant with her ninth child. She was also unvaccinated and contracted the more dangerous Delta variant. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Carol Charles

Sister of pregnant Alberta woman who died of COVID-19 urges others to get vaccinated

GoFundMe page recently set up to help support her children after preventable death

Jennifer Rosebluff-Thomas, left, poses with her sister Carol Charles in this undated handout photo. Rosebluff-Thomas died of COVID-19 last month. She was about 29 weeks pregnant with her ninth child. She was also unvaccinated and contracted the more dangerous Delta variant. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Carol Charles
Wednesday’s federal vaccine requirement announcement doesn’t include BC Ferries. (Black Press Media file photo)

New mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements will not apply to BC Ferries

Federally regulated transportation changes coming Oct. 30

Wednesday’s federal vaccine requirement announcement doesn’t include BC Ferries. (Black Press Media file photo)
Support Our Students Alberta has been tracking COVID-19 cases in schools since September. (File photo by BLACK PRESS)

Student advocacy group says 10 per cent of Alberta schools have COVID-19 outbreaks

Support Our Students Alberta has been tracking cases since September

Support Our Students Alberta has been tracking COVID-19 cases in schools since September. (File photo by BLACK PRESS)
Kelowna’s Gospel Mission. (Michael Rodriguez - Capital News)

Kelowna agencies collaborate to tackle COVID-19 spike in homeless population

Outbreaks or exposures at shelters were not recorded on Interior Health’s list of public exposures

Kelowna’s Gospel Mission. (Michael Rodriguez - Capital News)
Island Health says tents are a far cry from a proper isolation space. (Black Press Media file photo)

COVID-19 cases confirmed inside Greater Victoria supportive housing community

Island Health officials call for the return of proper isolation spaces in hotels and shelters

Island Health says tents are a far cry from a proper isolation space. (Black Press Media file photo)
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney gives a COVID-19 update in Edmonton on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson Alberta Premier Jason Kenney gives a COVID-19 update in Edmonton on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Sad reality: Alberta top doc says COVID deaths keeping hospitals from being overrun

310 patients were in intensive care across the province on Thursday

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney gives a COVID-19 update in Edmonton on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson Alberta Premier Jason Kenney gives a COVID-19 update in Edmonton on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
People opposed to vaccinations and masking entered schools in and around Salmon Arm on Sept. 17 They also recently protested at the School District 83 office. (Martha Wickett/Salmon Arm Observer)

‘Unacceptable’: Protesters enter Shuswap schools, forcing hold and secure procedures

Teacher said he didn’t feel safe for students or staff

People opposed to vaccinations and masking entered schools in and around Salmon Arm on Sept. 17 They also recently protested at the School District 83 office. (Martha Wickett/Salmon Arm Observer)
A nurse prepares a vaccine dose at an immunization clinic for long-term care workers in Nanaimo. (Island Health photo)

Vancouver Island breaks record for COVID-19 cases

Island Health reported 102 new cases, 700 active cases on Sept. 17

A nurse prepares a vaccine dose at an immunization clinic for long-term care workers in Nanaimo. (Island Health photo)
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announces new COVID-19 measures for Alberta in Calgary, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Alberta introduces new rules, passport as COVID puts health system days from collapse

Alberta has more than 18,000 active COVID-19 cases

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announces new COVID-19 measures for Alberta in Calgary, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Health Minister Adrian Dix at a news conference in the rotunda at legislature in Victoria on Wednesday May 6, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Health minister says Kamloops ER waiting room death will be reviewed

Dix said he couldn’t comment on the death specifically, but promised a ‘full and comprehensive’ review

  • Sep 9, 2021
Health Minister Adrian Dix at a news conference in the rotunda at legislature in Victoria on Wednesday May 6, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Royal Inland Hospital is in downtown Kamloops, at Columbia Street and Third Avenue. (Dave Eagles/Kamloops This Week)

Patient’s death in Kamloops ER sitting area came amid marathon wait for treatment

Another ER patient claims nurse informed those waiting there was a severe staff shortage

  • Sep 9, 2021
Royal Inland Hospital is in downtown Kamloops, at Columbia Street and Third Avenue. (Dave Eagles/Kamloops This Week)
Some residents held a counter-rally at the North Island Hospital Comox Valley campus Thursday afternoon, showing their support for health care workers. Photo supplied.

Counter-rally sends messages of thanks to Vancouver Island hospital workers

Residents hold support rally one day after COVID restrictions protest at Comox Valley hospital

Some residents held a counter-rally at the North Island Hospital Comox Valley campus Thursday afternoon, showing their support for health care workers. Photo supplied.
Two-time heart transplant recipient Robbie Thompson, seen here with the family dog, Oreo, explains why mass vaccinations are important for immuno-compromised people like himself. Photo supplied.

Two-time B.C. heart transplant recipient urges COVID vaccine opponents to reconsider

Vancouver Island man asks people to consider the greater good

Two-time heart transplant recipient Robbie Thompson, seen here with the family dog, Oreo, explains why mass vaccinations are important for immuno-compromised people like himself. Photo supplied.