COVID-19

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)
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
(John Cairns/University of Oxford via AP, File)

Hope recovers from brief spike in COVID cases

COVID case rate drops after hitting all-time high last week

(John Cairns/University of Oxford via AP, File)
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
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)
(Pixabay photo)

Hope experiencing its highest COVID case count during pandemic

Local case rate more than doubles in one week, as vaccination rates remain low

(Pixabay photo)
Two-time heart transplant recipient Robbie Thompson, seen here with the family dog, Oreo, explains why mass vaccinations are important for immuno-compromised people like himself. Photo supplied.

Two-time B.C. heart transplant recipient urges COVID vaccine opponents to reconsider

Vancouver Island man asks people to consider the greater good

Two-time heart transplant recipient Robbie Thompson, seen here with the family dog, Oreo, explains why mass vaccinations are important for immuno-compromised people like himself. Photo supplied.
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)
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

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)
Dr. Adrian Walton is careful about who he sells the drug ivermectin, a livestock dewormer which is not a proven COVID-19 treatment. (Facebook/Dewdney Animal Hospital)

Lower Mainland anti-vaxxers looking for livestock dewormer

Maple Ridge vet warns animal medicine could be dangerous for humans

Dr. Adrian Walton is careful about who he sells the drug ivermectin, a livestock dewormer which is not a proven COVID-19 treatment. (Facebook/Dewdney Animal Hospital)
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)
Kids in the Eastern Fraser Valley have the lowest vaccination rates in the Fraser Health Authority. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/LM Otero)

About half of eligible Abbotsford kids are vaccinated against COVID, as first day of school nears

33% of kids ages 12 to 17 are fully vaccinated in Hope, according to B.C. Centre for Disease Control

Kids in the Eastern Fraser Valley have the lowest vaccination rates in the Fraser Health Authority. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/LM Otero)
(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
Rogers Arena, home to the Vancouver Canucks NHL hockey team, is seen in Vancouver, on Monday, June 22, 2020. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Canucks may require proof of vaccination to attend games this season

The Canucks look to avoid another season with a COVID-19 shutdown

Rogers Arena, home to the Vancouver Canucks NHL hockey team, is seen in Vancouver, on Monday, June 22, 2020. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
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