COVID-19

Classrooms will soon be busy as children across B.C. go back to school, again with pandemic procedures in place. (Black Press Media files)

Back to school: Children with special needs are being put in harm’s way, says Autism BC

‘How can my child on the spectrum be safe if the protocols are not in place,’ asks worried parent

Classrooms will soon be busy as children across B.C. go back to school, again with pandemic procedures in place. (Black Press Media files)
Telus has joined several other big Canadian companies, including the major banks, in making it mandatory for workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. (file photo)

Telus joins federal government, major banks in making COVID jabs mandatory for staffers

Telus workers not fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by Oct. 15 to be tested 2 times a week

Telus has joined several other big Canadian companies, including the major banks, in making it mandatory for workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. (file photo)
Markus Spodzieja (centre) with his crew members at the Bikery bakery. (Kiernan Green / News Staff)

The Bikery opens Island’s first kosher bakery in Victoria’s Public Market

Baker Markus Spodzieja and business partner Kimanda Jarzebiak filling a local niche

Markus Spodzieja (centre) with his crew members at the Bikery bakery. (Kiernan Green / News Staff)
A BCAA survey found 68 per cent of respondents believe school zone traffic will be more chaotic than usual this year. (Joti Grewal/Langley Advance Times)

Distracted parents in drop-off zones a top concern for back-to-school rush: BCAA

About 72 students are injured in school zones every year, according to the roadside assistance company

  • Sep 1, 2021
A BCAA survey found 68 per cent of respondents believe school zone traffic will be more chaotic than usual this year. (Joti Grewal/Langley Advance Times)
A WestJet flight on the runway leaving Comox. Photo by Erin Haluschak

COVID-19 exposure on August flight into Comox

The advisory indicates an exposure on WestJet flight 491 from Calgary

A WestJet flight on the runway leaving Comox. Photo by Erin Haluschak
Ivermectin is a medication that is used to treat parasite infestations in dogs, cats and large animals. While a form of ivermectin that is safe for human consumption exists, it is not approved to treat or prevent COVID-19. (Pexels)

Some B.C. residents are seeking out horse dewormer to treat COVID-19

Misinformation about ivermectin has been spread online, identifying it as a treatment for COVID-19

Ivermectin is a medication that is used to treat parasite infestations in dogs, cats and large animals. While a form of ivermectin that is safe for human consumption exists, it is not approved to treat or prevent COVID-19. (Pexels)
Island Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Sunset Lodge long-term care home. (Google Maps Streetview)

22 COVID-19 cases linked to outbreak at Greater Victoria long-term care home

Outbreak declared at Sunset Lodge on Friday after 3 staff members test positive

Island Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Sunset Lodge long-term care home. (Google Maps Streetview)
(Unsplash photo)

Survey says 1 in 3 Canadians looking to cash in on a side hustle

24% of respondents consider direct selling a realistic option to make more money

(Unsplash photo)
A B.C. Ferries vessel passes Bowen Island while traveling on Howe Sound from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale, B.C., on Friday, April 23, 2021. A BC Ferries passenger was recovered from the waters near Bowen Island after going overboard Sunday, after another passenger witnessed them fall off the ferry mid-afternoon. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Government buoys BC Ferries with $308M amid all-time lowest passenger count

Without government funds, BC Ferries would have recorded $165M in losses for fiscal 2021

A B.C. Ferries vessel passes Bowen Island while traveling on Howe Sound from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale, B.C., on Friday, April 23, 2021. A BC Ferries passenger was recovered from the waters near Bowen Island after going overboard Sunday, after another passenger witnessed them fall off the ferry mid-afternoon. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A 60-year-old COVID-19 patient fights for his life, desperately gasping for air as health-care staff provide life saving medical care in an emergency situation in the intensive care unit at the Humber River Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. Surveys from the Ontario Medical Association suggest nearly three-quarters of physicians experienced at least some level of burnout when asked in 2021, up from 66 per cent the previous year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Experts warn B.C. on track to exceed record highs of new COVID-19 infections come fall

The B.C. COVID-19 Modelling Group is calling for increased safety measures to curb the spread

A 60-year-old COVID-19 patient fights for his life, desperately gasping for air as health-care staff provide life saving medical care in an emergency situation in the intensive care unit at the Humber River Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. Surveys from the Ontario Medical Association suggest nearly three-quarters of physicians experienced at least some level of burnout when asked in 2021, up from 66 per cent the previous year. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
The WHL is the second CHL league to mandate vaccines (FILE/WHL)

WHL announces vaccine mandate for players and staff this 2021/22 season

All WHL players and personnel are required to be vaccinated for the upcoming season

The WHL is the second CHL league to mandate vaccines (FILE/WHL)
Georgia Mates, prepares a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine ahead of a drive-thru clinic at Richardson stadium in Kingston, Ont., Friday, Jul. 2, 2021. Ottawa is requiring that federal employees be vaccinated against COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg

Vast majority of B.C. residents support vaccine passports, survey finds

Almost 80 per cent of British Columbians support proof of vaccination to participate in some activities

Georgia Mates, prepares a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine ahead of a drive-thru clinic at Richardson stadium in Kingston, Ont., Friday, Jul. 2, 2021. Ottawa is requiring that federal employees be vaccinated against COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry talks about B.C.’s plan to restart the province during a press conference at Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on May 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

‘At this point, we don’t have a choice’: Kelowna restaurants, pubs react to latest health measures

For some owners, the announcement of the recent health measures came as no surprise

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry talks about B.C.’s plan to restart the province during a press conference at Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on May 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
The MV Coho hasn’t seen a recreational passenger in about 16 months, but has taken voyages every six weeks to remain seaworthy. (Keith Thorpe/Black Press Media)

U.S. ferries cast adrift in border reopening, want clarity on resuming service

Left out of Monday’s reopening, tourism organization considers legal action against feds

The MV Coho hasn’t seen a recreational passenger in about 16 months, but has taken voyages every six weeks to remain seaworthy. (Keith Thorpe/Black Press Media)
Kelowna General Hospital. (Michael Rodriguez/Capital News)

Surgeries bumped in Kelowna due to spike in COVID patients amid outbreak

‘Our hospital is swamped with COVID patients, almost entirely unvaccinated’

Kelowna General Hospital. (Michael Rodriguez/Capital News)
The Central Okanagan seen from the top of Knox Mountain in Kelowna. (Phil McLachlan/Black Press Media file)

Central Okanagan bars, nightclubs ordered to close as COVID-19 cases surge

In the last week, COVID-19 cases tripled in the Central Okanagan, health officials say

The Central Okanagan seen from the top of Knox Mountain in Kelowna. (Phil McLachlan/Black Press Media file)
Beth and Shayna Davison are now very close after discovering they are half-sisters. (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)

Strangers to sisters: Abbotsford neighbours discover they are related

DNA research leads to discovery that acquaintances have the same father

Beth and Shayna Davison are now very close after discovering they are half-sisters. (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)
A blood donor clinic pictured at a shopping mall in Calgary on Friday, March 27, 2020. (Jeff McIntosh/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Blood donations are rebounding from COVID, but there remains a need for more

Canadian Blood Services is in need of more blood donors following the COVID-19 pandemic

  • Aug 5, 2021
A blood donor clinic pictured at a shopping mall in Calgary on Friday, March 27, 2020. (Jeff McIntosh/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
(Black Press file photo)

Health minister urges vaccination as COVID-19 cases rise in B.C. Interior

COVID-19 cases rising in Okanagan, Kootenays as provincial vaccination efforts continue

(Black Press file photo)
Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry will be providing an update on COVID-19 in the Interior Health region on Wednesday, July 28. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

Mask mandate returns to Central Okanagan, COVID-19 outbreak declared

The Interior Health region leads recent provincial COVID-19 case counts

Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry will be providing an update on COVID-19 in the Interior Health region on Wednesday, July 28. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)