COVID-19

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)
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)
B.C. vaccine passport. (Black Press Media)

Campbell River city council asked to roll back vaccine status checks at city facilities

Delegation against vaccine passports heard in city council

B.C. vaccine passport. (Black Press Media)
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)
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