Coronavirus

A single vehicle heads into the U.S. at the quiet Peace Arch border crossing Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, in Blaine, Wash. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

All Canadians entering the U.S. must be vaccinated against COVID-19: DHS

Land border rules now align with those for air travel in the U.S.

 

Transport trucks approach the Canada/USA border crossing in Windsor, Ont. on Saturday, March 21, 2020. Findings from an industry survey show that most in-house trucking fleets do not have a COVID-19 vaccine mandate, despite an impending inoculation requirement from the federal government. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rob Gurdebeke

Truckers should have done more to prepare for vaccine mandate, experts say

26,000 of the 160,000 drivers who make regular trips across the Canada-U.S. border sidelined

 

Daily COVID-19 cases reported to B.C. public health, to Jan. 19, 2022. Seven-day moving average in white. (B.C. Centre for Disease Control)

B.C. reports 2,364 more COVID-19 cases, 9 deaths Friday

Hospital, intensive care cases still rising

 

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry looks on as Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks during a COVID-19 update press conference in Victoria, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. Guidance on the home management of COVID-19 symptoms and decisions about who should self-isolate and for how long could dominate the Friday pandemic update with British Columbia's health minister and top doctor. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Change to shorter isolation period part of managing COVID-19 in B.C.: top doctor

British Columbia’s top doctor says the current wave of COVID-19 is causing…

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry looks on as Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks during a COVID-19 update press conference in Victoria, Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021. Guidance on the home management of COVID-19 symptoms and decisions about who should self-isolate and for how long could dominate the Friday pandemic update with British Columbia's health minister and top doctor. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
A man holds a 3M N95 respirator. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

BC Liquor Distribution Branch provides each employee with 15 high-grade masks

Union representing LDB workers calls the move a huge win for health and safety

A man holds a 3M N95 respirator. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
People leave a COVID-19 vaccination site in Montreal, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Omicron may be peaking but COVID-19 isn’t done with us just yet: Tam

‘We need to plan for the different scenarios and just be ready’

People leave a COVID-19 vaccination site in Montreal, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix navigate the basement corridors of the B.C. legislature to deliver a COVID-19 briefing, May 20, 2021. (B.C. government photo)

B.C. COVID-19 hospital admissions slowing, latest testing shows

Most virus-related illness due to age or underlying conditions

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix navigate the basement corridors of the B.C. legislature to deliver a COVID-19 briefing, May 20, 2021. (B.C. government photo)
A young person is vaccinated at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic as the campaign to vaccinate children aged 5-11 against COVID-19 continues, in Montreal, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

More in-school clinics could be key to raising vaccination rates for kids: doctors

Health Canada says the national average of children with their first shot is less than half

A young person is vaccinated at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic as the campaign to vaccinate children aged 5-11 against COVID-19 continues, in Montreal, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
“Kids and Families Vaccine Clinic” in Toronto on Thursday, January 13, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

B.C.’s COVID-19 fifth wave continues to decline, 15 more deaths

Hospital cases stable, 8 care home outbreaks Thursday

“Kids and Families Vaccine Clinic” in Toronto on Thursday, January 13, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Abbotsford Regional Hospital and other B.C. acute-care health facilities are reinstating pay parking as of March 4. (Abbotsford News)

Public parking charges to return to B.C. hospitals on March 4

Parking lots filled up, patients and visitors couldn’t find any

Abbotsford Regional Hospital and other B.C. acute-care health facilities are reinstating pay parking as of March 4. (Abbotsford News)
Northern Health has expanded clinic hours at the Dze L K’ant Community Hall as new COVID cases surge in B.C. (Deb Meissner photo)

Northern Health specific COVID restrictions lifted

The health authority said they are aligning their restrictions with the rest of B.C.

Northern Health has expanded clinic hours at the Dze L K’ant Community Hall as new COVID cases surge in B.C. (Deb Meissner photo)
A health care worker is seen outside the Emergency dept. of the Vancouver General Hospital in Vancouver on March 30, 2020. Hospital emergency rooms in Alberta are likely to assess complaints from First Nations people as less urgent than those from other patients even when their problems are the same, says a new study that looked at millions of such visits. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

BC CDC apologizes for confusion about COVID isolation guidance for unvaccinated people

Isolation time was briefly shortened to five days for everyone

A health care worker is seen outside the Emergency dept. of the Vancouver General Hospital in Vancouver on March 30, 2020. Hospital emergency rooms in Alberta are likely to assess complaints from First Nations people as less urgent than those from other patients even when their problems are the same, says a new study that looked at millions of such visits. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Hume School in Nelson is one of several that have sent letters alerting parents to absenteeism potentially linked to COVID-19. Photo: Tyler Harper

School District 8 becomes 3rd district in B.C. to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination from staff

The announcement doesn’t apply to students

Hume School in Nelson is one of several that have sent letters alerting parents to absenteeism potentially linked to COVID-19. Photo: Tyler Harper
A health-care worker looks out of a window at Maison Herron, a long-term care home in the Montreal suburb of Dorval, on Saturday, April 11, 2020. The physical and mental health impacts of isolation periods are high for seniors living in care facilities.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Advocates say lengthy COVID isolation for seniors in care may do more harm than good

Authorities asked to reconsider guidelines as to when residents must isolate

A health-care worker looks out of a window at Maison Herron, a long-term care home in the Montreal suburb of Dorval, on Saturday, April 11, 2020. The physical and mental health impacts of isolation periods are high for seniors living in care facilities.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
A bottle containing the drug remdesivir is held by a health worker at the Institute of Infectology of Kenezy Gyula Teaching Hospital of the University of Debrecen in Debrecen, Hungary, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020. A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests the antiviral medication remdesivir could have a “modest but significant effect” on COVID-19 patient outcomes, including decreasing the need for mechanical ventilation by approximately 50 per cent. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Zsolt Czegledi/MTI via AP)

Officials optimistic treatments will help ease COVID strain on Canada’s health system

Some provinces hopeful fifth pandemic wave peaking or will soon

A bottle containing the drug remdesivir is held by a health worker at the Institute of Infectology of Kenezy Gyula Teaching Hospital of the University of Debrecen in Debrecen, Hungary, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020. A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests the antiviral medication remdesivir could have a “modest but significant effect” on COVID-19 patient outcomes, including decreasing the need for mechanical ventilation by approximately 50 per cent. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Zsolt Czegledi/MTI via AP)
(file photo)

EDITORIAL: Pandemic impact goes beyond numbers

Some jurisdictions, including British Columbia, have changed their testing policies

  • Jan 19, 2022
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Village at Smith Creek in West Kelowna is among the latest health facility in the Okanagan to declare a COVID-19 outbreak. (Village at Smith Creek)

Interior Health reports new COVID-19 outbreaks at Okanagan health facilities

The outbreaks were declared at the facilities on Jan. 16

Village at Smith Creek in West Kelowna is among the latest health facility in the Okanagan to declare a COVID-19 outbreak. (Village at Smith Creek)
FILE – Specimens to be tested for COVID-19 are seen at LifeLabs after being logged upon receipt at the company’s lab, in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, March 26, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

UPDATE: B.C. CDC updates COVID isolation time back up to 10 days for unvaccinated adults

Individuals under the age of 18 who are unvaccinated remains at 5 days

FILE – Specimens to be tested for COVID-19 are seen at LifeLabs after being logged upon receipt at the company’s lab, in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, March 26, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The B.C. vaccine card displayed on a smartphone. Health officials have indicated it will remain in use indefinitely while the province deals with the latest surge in COVID-19 infections. (B.C. government)

B.C. up to 895 people in hospital with COVID-19 infections

Critical care stable, 13 more deaths confirmed Wednesday

The B.C. vaccine card displayed on a smartphone. Health officials have indicated it will remain in use indefinitely while the province deals with the latest surge in COVID-19 infections. (B.C. government)
Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital in Clearwater is one of several Interior Health care centres impacted by service reductions. File photo

Rural health service reductions to last up to 4 weeks: Interior Health president

Susan Brown says emergency room access is being prioritized

Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital in Clearwater is one of several Interior Health care centres impacted by service reductions. File photo