COVID-19

The Goldstream Food Bank warehouse is seen in this November photo. Food banks across Greater Victoria are feeling the impacts of supply chain issues exasperated by last month’s flooding, but some have managed to avoid the worst thanks to a mixture of luck and early planning. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Flood damage disrupts supply for Vancouver Island food banks

Some avoided shortages by ordering earlier than usual, while others have had to pivot to gift cards

The Goldstream Food Bank warehouse is seen in this November photo. Food banks across Greater Victoria are feeling the impacts of supply chain issues exasperated by last month’s flooding, but some have managed to avoid the worst thanks to a mixture of luck and early planning. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
The Omicron variant has been identified in a COVID-19 cluster associated with University of Victoria students. (Photo courtesy of UVic)

UVic COVID-19 cluster climbs to 124, including 4 listed as the Omicron variant

University moved all fall semester exams online Sunday amid rising case numbers

The Omicron variant has been identified in a COVID-19 cluster associated with University of Victoria students. (Photo courtesy of UVic)
The faces of Premier John Horgan and Health Minister Adrian Dix were attached to effigies hung during a vaccine protest event at the B.C. legislature on Dec. 9. (Photo courtesy of Facebook/Anne O’Neil)

‘Unacceptable:’ B.C. attorney general responds after premier, ministers hung in effigy

Actions came at Dec. 9 at vaccine protest rally, VicPD gathering information

The faces of Premier John Horgan and Health Minister Adrian Dix were attached to effigies hung during a vaccine protest event at the B.C. legislature on Dec. 9. (Photo courtesy of Facebook/Anne O’Neil)
The Vancouver Island Regional Library is the fifth largest library system in British Columbia and serves a population of more than 450,000. File photo

Vancouver Island Regional Library mandating vaccines for all employees

The Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) is adopting a Vaccination Operational Policy…

The Vancouver Island Regional Library is the fifth largest library system in British Columbia and serves a population of more than 450,000. File photo
North Island NDP MLA Michele Babchuk. (Photo supplied)

Protesting at elected officials’ homes ‘unacceptable’ — MLA

‘Lines were crossed’ when people protested at North Island MLA’s home

North Island NDP MLA Michele Babchuk. (Photo supplied)
Cowichan Valley MLA Sonia Furstenau is moving her constituency office from the Matraea Centre in downtown Duncan to provide a more safe working environment for her staff after a recent protest and other incidents. (File photo)

Green Party leader to move Duncan office after protests raise safety concerns

Sonia Furstenau says she fears for safety and comfort of staff, neighbouring office workers

Cowichan Valley MLA Sonia Furstenau is moving her constituency office from the Matraea Centre in downtown Duncan to provide a more safe working environment for her staff after a recent protest and other incidents. (File photo)
(Photo: Metro creative stock)

B.C. chiropractor pens motion to regulator to ‘take a stand’ against vaccine mandates

Mark Foullong urged the College of Chiropractors of British Columbia to maintain “medical freedom of choice”

(Photo: Metro creative stock)
People entering Canada need the ArriveCAN app. (Black Press Media File)

CBSA reminds B.C. residents that ArriveCAN app still a requirement

Regardless of how long or short the trip is, ArriveCAN app is still mandatory

People entering Canada need the ArriveCAN app. (Black Press Media File)
Dr. Bonnie Henry. (B.C. government photo)

Masks must be worn at in-person worship services in B.C., Dr. Henry says

Choirs are included in the the face mask order

Dr. Bonnie Henry. (B.C. government photo)
Very few people, if any, lined up at the Peace Arch border to enter the U.S. Tuesday. (B.C. Highway camera)

No wait at B.C. border as PCR test requirement removed for short trips

As of Nov. 30, fully vaccinated Canadians can enter U.S. for less than 72 hours without PCR test

Very few people, if any, lined up at the Peace Arch border to enter the U.S. Tuesday. (B.C. Highway camera)
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has issued a statement about a new COVID-19 variant of concern, “Omicron.” Pictured here, Henry receiving a seasonal influenza vaccination in October. (B.C. government photo)

B.C. health officials report 341 new COVID cases, issue statement on Omicron variant

Effect of ‘Omicron’ variant on transmission and severity not yet known

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has issued a statement about a new COVID-19 variant of concern, “Omicron.” Pictured here, Henry receiving a seasonal influenza vaccination in October. (B.C. government photo)
A man who lives at Our Place and says he has a medical mask exemption along with being double vaccinated said he was initially denied an examination for a painful ear infection at Royal Jubilee Hospital for not agreeing to wear a mask during the exam. (Black Press Media file photo)

Vaccinated man with mask exemption says he was denied care at Island hospital

Royal Jubilee hospital ER doctor refused to examine him without a mask on, man says

A man who lives at Our Place and says he has a medical mask exemption along with being double vaccinated said he was initially denied an examination for a painful ear infection at Royal Jubilee Hospital for not agreeing to wear a mask during the exam. (Black Press Media file photo)
Teri Mooring, B.C. Teachers’ Federation president, is in favour of holding vaccine clinics at schools. (Twitter/BCTF)

B.C. teachers’ union leader welcomes vaccination clinics at schools

Teri Mooring says schools a hub of the community, especially in smaller towns

Teri Mooring, B.C. Teachers’ Federation president, is in favour of holding vaccine clinics at schools. (Twitter/BCTF)
There is no truth to rumours about stillbirths at Lions Gate Hospital being related to mothers being vaccinated against COVID-19, states Vancouver Coastal Health. (Black Press Media file)

B.C. health authority dispels stillbirth COVID vaccination rumours at North Van hospital

Vancouver Coastal Health says no evidence of added risk of early pregnancy loss after vaccination

There is no truth to rumours about stillbirths at Lions Gate Hospital being related to mothers being vaccinated against COVID-19, states Vancouver Coastal Health. (Black Press Media file)
Some of the dogs Leanna Richardson has been fostering for the Victoria Humane Society. The society and its volunteers have been hit with a surge of surrendered pets, many of which require socialization, forcing them to start turning animals away. (Photo courtesy of Leanna Richardson)

Unwanted pets flood Island animal welfare group as society returns somewhat to normal

Surrendered dogs also requiring more socialization training than usual before being adopted out

Some of the dogs Leanna Richardson has been fostering for the Victoria Humane Society. The society and its volunteers have been hit with a surge of surrendered pets, many of which require socialization, forcing them to start turning animals away. (Photo courtesy of Leanna Richardson)
Leah Moore, founder of the Flying Fur Animal Rescue and Refuge in Parksville, on Nov. 9, 2021, as she holds one of the many rabbits recently abandoned at her facility. (Mandy Moraes photo)

COVID-19: As restrictions ease, Vancouver Island animal rescue fills up with pets

Founder concerned with the rising trend and mounting costs

Leah Moore, founder of the Flying Fur Animal Rescue and Refuge in Parksville, on Nov. 9, 2021, as she holds one of the many rabbits recently abandoned at her facility. (Mandy Moraes photo)
The MV Coho arrives on Nov. 8 in Victoria from Port Angeles for the first time since the pandemic started. While crossings to the U.S. are full, far fewer people are making the trip into Canada, with strict COVID-19 testing requirements being blamed by tourism and ferry operators. (Photo courtesy of Black Ball Ferry Line)

Travel mostly a one-way-street as Victoria-Port Angeles ferry returns

COVID-19 testing requirements still a barrier for U.S. tourists, says Black Ball Ferry president

The MV Coho arrives on Nov. 8 in Victoria from Port Angeles for the first time since the pandemic started. While crossings to the U.S. are full, far fewer people are making the trip into Canada, with strict COVID-19 testing requirements being blamed by tourism and ferry operators. (Photo courtesy of Black Ball Ferry Line)
Mink farms are being phased out in B.C. and will be shut down entirely by April 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)

BC plans to phase out mink farming industry by 2025

The government is doing this over four years to allow farmers and workers a transition period

Mink farms are being phased out in B.C. and will be shut down entirely by April 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix via AP)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau puts on a mask as he listens to Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam speak via video during a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic, in Ottawa, Friday, March 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

COVID-19 spending spike poses challenge for Canada’s post-pandemic health systems

Spending surge is expected to reach a record $308 billion in 2021

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau puts on a mask as he listens to Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam speak via video during a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic, in Ottawa, Friday, March 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The band Dr. Strangelove in a promo photo. Surrey-based singer Kelly Brock, among a growing number of others, wonders why dancing to live music isn’t allowed in B.C. right now. (Photo: drstrangeloveband.com)

‘Footloose’ in B.C.: Dancing ban irks live-event industry, those who want to bust a move

‘Events are getting cancelled (and) it’s too late to get events going for November, December,’ one DJ says

The band Dr. Strangelove in a promo photo. Surrey-based singer Kelly Brock, among a growing number of others, wonders why dancing to live music isn’t allowed in B.C. right now. (Photo: drstrangeloveband.com)
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