COVID-19

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

 

Ryan Milligan, pictured with wife Amanda and kids Raya and Emmett, was in the ICU at Kelowna General Hospital fighting against COVID-19 on Sept. 23. A gofundme has been launched to support his family. (Contributed)

‘This could happen to anyone’: Golden man, 38, with COVID-19 fighting for life in ICU

Fundraiser launched to support family of former Sicamous resident Ryan Milligan

 

The weekly COVID-19 case map for Sept. 12 to 18. (BC CDC)

Keremeos sees new record of weekly COVID-19 cases

The South Okanagan Similkameen saw 111 cases over the most recent week.

 

Image from Google Maps Street View.

Bad Tattoo Brewing Penticton moves to cafe model to avoid vax passport

The business had previously announced it would not be enforcing vaccine proof

Image from Google Maps Street View.
(B.C. Centre for Disease Control)

Central Okanagan COVID-19 cases drop for 5th straight week

75 per cent of Central Okanagan residents are fully immunized against COVID-19

(B.C. Centre for Disease Control)
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’: Protestors enter Salmon Arm 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)
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)
Dan Glasscock, the traffic safety officer for School District 23 and the City of Kelowna, helps students and families cross Ziprick Road outside of Springvalley Middle and Elementary schools during the first day of school on Sept. 7. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)

COVID vaccine debate a minefield for Central Okanagan teachers to navigate

Parents increasingly sensitive to what is told to students

Dan Glasscock, the traffic safety officer for School District 23 and the City of Kelowna, helps students and families cross Ziprick Road outside of Springvalley Middle and Elementary schools during the first day of school on Sept. 7. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)
The number of new weekly cases in the Salmon Arm health area went beyond 100 from Sept. 5 to 11, while Vernon’s total has been dropping from a high of 263 new cases from Aug. 22 to 28. (BC Centre for Disease Control.)

COVID-19 cases in Salmon Arm reach new high, Vernon’s head downward

Vernon health area reached a weekly record number of cases on Aug. 22 to 28, now decreasing

The number of new weekly cases in the Salmon Arm health area went beyond 100 from Sept. 5 to 11, while Vernon’s total has been dropping from a high of 263 new cases from Aug. 22 to 28. (BC Centre for Disease Control.)
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
Provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, puts on her protective mask after releasing details about a COVID-19 vaccination card that will be needed by anyone wanting to eat in restaurants, visit theatres or go to other events. She made the announcement at a news conference at the B.C. legislature in Victoria on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Restrictions eased for Interior businesses following vax card program

Liquor service again allowed after 10 p.m. in the Central Okanagan

Provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, puts on her protective mask after releasing details about a COVID-19 vaccination card that will be needed by anyone wanting to eat in restaurants, visit theatres or go to other events. She made the announcement at a news conference at the B.C. legislature in Victoria on Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
(Kelowna RCMP)

As vaccine card rolls out, Kelowna’s top cop promises safety for businesses

Businesses are encouraged to call the police if they are threatened by anti-vaccine people

(Kelowna RCMP)
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
(BC Centre for Disease Control)

Weekly COVID-19 numbers in Central Okanagan decline for 3rd straight week

For the past eight weeks, the region has had the highest case counts in the province

(BC Centre for Disease Control)
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)
All Splatsin events and gatherings have been suspended for the immediate future as the band deals with what Kukpi7 (Chief) Wayne Christian calls an alarming number of COVID-19 cases in the community. (Morning Star file photo)

Splatsin suspends events due to ‘alarming’ number of COVID cases

Kukpi7 (Chief) Wayne Christian says 20-to-25 individuals currently in self-isolation

All Splatsin events and gatherings have been suspended for the immediate future as the band deals with what Kukpi7 (Chief) Wayne Christian calls an alarming number of COVID-19 cases in the community. (Morning Star file photo)
Roughly 1,000 people gathered and protested COVID-19 health measures outside of the hospital on Sept. 1. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)

Kelowna bylaw officers hand out almost $4K in fines for health-order-breaching gatherings

Bylaw handed out 14 separate fines over the past three weeks

Roughly 1,000 people gathered and protested COVID-19 health measures outside of the hospital on Sept. 1. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)
(Half Corked Marathon - Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country)

Interior Health puts a cork in Half Corked Marathon in Oliver

The run through the vines of Oliver and Osoyoos was scheduled for this weekend

(Half Corked Marathon - Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country)
Concept art of what the vaccine card will look like. (B.C. government)

Central Okanagan sees uptick in jab rates after vax card announcement

The upcoming vaccine card mandate seems to have increased vaccination rates in the region

Concept art of what the vaccine card will look like. (B.C. government)
Okanagan College, Vernon campus. (Vernon Morning Star/Brendan Shykora)

Okanagan College to host COVID-19 vaccine clinics at multiple campuses

Clinics will be open in Kelowna, Penticton, Salmon Arm and Vernon

Okanagan College, Vernon campus. (Vernon Morning Star/Brendan Shykora)