COVID-19

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)
A rapid COVID-19 test swab being processed. (File photo)

Free rapid COVID-19 test kits available at upcoming weekend event

Test kits will be available in Hope, Agassiz

A rapid COVID-19 test swab being processed. (File photo)
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.
The United States announced Tuesday that its land borders will reopen in early November. (Aaron Hinks photo)

U.S. land border reopening ‘a great relief,’ but questions remain: Surrey Board of Trade

SBOT executive director, U.S. immigration lawyer agree questions, concerns remain

The United States announced Tuesday that its land borders will reopen in early November. (Aaron Hinks photo)
From Oct. 5 to Oct. 11, Chilliwack had the highest rate of infection in the Lower Mainland, at 34 daily cases per 100,000

BCCDC: Chilliwack remains COVID hotspot in eastern Fraser Valley

Vaccination rates slowly increasing week over week across region

From Oct. 5 to Oct. 11, Chilliwack had the highest rate of infection in the Lower Mainland, at 34 daily cases per 100,000
(File Photo)

UPDATE: Fraser Health reports second exposure event at Kent Elementary, AESS

Five exposure events have been recorded within a month

(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)
The dark purple represents over 20 new daily cases per 100,000. Chilliwack had the worst rate in the Lower Mainland from Sept 28. to Oct. 4, with 38 daily cases per 100,000.

BCCDC: Eastern Fraser Valley cases remain high, Chilliwack infections continue to spike

Vaccination rates remain lowest in Lower Mainland, but slowly increasing

The dark purple represents over 20 new daily cases per 100,000. Chilliwack had the worst rate in the Lower Mainland from Sept 28. to Oct. 4, with 38 daily cases per 100,000.
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)
A group of about a dozen Semiahmoo Peninsula seniors rallied in support of COVID-19 vaccinations Friday afternoon in White Rock. (Nick Greenizan photo)

PHOTOS: White Rock seniors rally in support of COVID-19 vaccinations

Fight between vaccinated and unvaccinated people ‘has divided families’ – senior

A group of about a dozen Semiahmoo Peninsula seniors rallied in support of COVID-19 vaccinations Friday afternoon in White Rock. (Nick Greenizan photo)
Support Our Students Alberta has been tracking COVID-19 cases in schools since September. (File photo by BLACK PRESS)

Student advocacy group says 10 per cent of Alberta schools have COVID-19 outbreaks

Support Our Students Alberta has been tracking cases since September

Support Our Students Alberta has been tracking COVID-19 cases in schools since September. (File photo by BLACK PRESS)
Kelowna’s Gospel Mission. (Michael Rodriguez - Capital News)

Kelowna agencies collaborate to tackle COVID-19 spike in homeless population

Outbreaks or exposures at shelters were not recorded on Interior Health’s list of public exposures

Kelowna’s Gospel Mission. (Michael Rodriguez - Capital News)
Fraser Valley vaccination rates are the lowest in the Lower Mainland, leading to a strain on local hospitals. BC CDC map.

Eastern Fraser Valley mayors band together to urge vaccinations

Lowest vaccination rate, highest infection rate force further restrictions

Fraser Valley vaccination rates are the lowest in the Lower Mainland, leading to a strain on local hospitals. BC CDC map.
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

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
Average daily case rate of new cases per 100,000 population, by local health area and community health service area, Sept. 13 - Sept. 19, 2021. BCCDC map.

BCCDC: Case rates increasing across the eastern Fraser Valley, Agassiz highest rate in Lower Mainland

Unvaccinated persons account for 77% of new cases, and 87% of hospitalizations

Average daily case rate of new cases per 100,000 population, by local health area and community health service area, Sept. 13 - Sept. 19, 2021. BCCDC map.
This household in Hope’s Silver Creek neighbourhood embraced the hearts that became synonymous with the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with handmade hearts put up all around their yard. This photo was taken in May 2020. (Emelie Peacock/Hope Standard)

Hope struggling with COVID vaccination rates, says mayor

Anti-passport sentiments boil over on Facebook page

This household in Hope’s Silver Creek neighbourhood embraced the hearts that became synonymous with the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with handmade hearts put up all around their yard. This photo was taken in May 2020. (Emelie Peacock/Hope Standard)
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