Coronavirus

New data suggest that COVID-19 activity in British Columbia continues to decrease, while influenza and RSV are on the rise. This colourized electron microscope image made available by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in November 2022, shows cells, indicated in purple, infected with the omicron strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, orange, isolated from a patient sample, captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Md. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-HO, NIAID/NIH

COVID down, influenza up across B.C., latest CDC numbers show

25 deaths of patients with COVID last week, down from 70 three weeks ago

 

Positive, left, and negative COVID-19 antigen rapid tests are picture in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. New data suggest a recent surge in COVID-19 activity in British Columbia appears to be on the wane, with hospital admissions, deaths and test positivity all down sharply. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

B.C. COVID spike reverses, cases, hospitalizations, deaths all retreat

36 deaths among people with COVID-19 last week, down from a peak of 70 two weeks earlier

 

The protection offered by COVID-19 vaccines wanes over time. Metro creative stock

Most British Columbians overdue for their COVID shot

Province says you can get a shot every 6 months, only about 10 percent received spring booster

 

The risk of dying from a toxic-drug overdose increased by up to 50 per cent coinciding with the start of the pandemic for people who had been released from Ontario jails, and some who were still incarcerated, a study says. Prison cells are shown under construction in a new jail and detention centre in Zurich, Switzerland on June 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Gaetan Bally/Keystone via AP

Former Ontario inmates saw higher risk of overdose death as COVID-19 emerged: study

The most substantial impact was on individuals between the ages of 25 and 49

The risk of dying from a toxic-drug overdose increased by up to 50 per cent coinciding with the start of the pandemic for people who had been released from Ontario jails, and some who were still incarcerated, a study says. Prison cells are shown under construction in a new jail and detention centre in Zurich, Switzerland on June 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Gaetan Bally/Keystone via AP
People line up at a COVID-19 testing clinic Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021 in Montreal. COVID-19 vaccine passports in Quebec and Ontario did little to convince the unvaccinated to get the jab and did not significantly reduce inequalities in vaccination coverage, a new peer-reviewed study has found. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Passports ineffective in encouraging COVID vaccinations: study

Report says passport system increased vaccinations less than a percentage point in Ontario, Quebec

People line up at a COVID-19 testing clinic Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021 in Montreal. COVID-19 vaccine passports in Quebec and Ontario did little to convince the unvaccinated to get the jab and did not significantly reduce inequalities in vaccination coverage, a new peer-reviewed study has found. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Canada’s premiers have sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking the federal government to extend the Jan. 18, 2024 repayment period for one more year for interest-free loans to small businesses and not-for-profits. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Eby joins other premiers in plea for small business COVID loan extension

CEBA program slated to come due in January, provinces want another year

Canada’s premiers have sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking the federal government to extend the Jan. 18, 2024 repayment period for one more year for interest-free loans to small businesses and not-for-profits. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
British Columbia has launched its immunization campaign for this year’s respiratory illness season, with influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations now available in pharmacies across the province. Fraser Health registered nurse Kai Kayibadi draws a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe at a walk-up vaccination clinic at Bear Creek Park, in Surrey, B.C., on Monday, May 17, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vaccines arrive as B.C. launches COVID, flu immunization campaign

Drugstore chain anticipating an increase in demand for vaccines

British Columbia has launched its immunization campaign for this year’s respiratory illness season, with influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations now available in pharmacies across the province. Fraser Health registered nurse Kai Kayibadi draws a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe at a walk-up vaccination clinic at Bear Creek Park, in Surrey, B.C., on Monday, May 17, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Novavax COVID-19 vaccine’s incubate in flasks at the company research laboratory in Gaithersburg, Md., on May 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Angie Wang

Novavax hopeful to meet Canadian deadline for non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine

The new formulation is awaiting Health Canada approval

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine’s incubate in flasks at the company research laboratory in Gaithersburg, Md., on May 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Angie Wang
Wastewater testing can find what COVID-19 variants are present in the community. COVID-19 cases are on the rise in British Columbia, with the BC Centre for Disease Control reporting hospitalizations have increased 58 per cent in the past two weeks. (Pixabay).

B.C. COVID-19 hospitalizations up 58% in 2 weeks

COVID-19 levels detected in wastewater are up at every monitored treatment plant in the province

Wastewater testing can find what COVID-19 variants are present in the community. COVID-19 cases are on the rise in British Columbia, with the BC Centre for Disease Control reporting hospitalizations have increased 58 per cent in the past two weeks. (Pixabay).
Health Canada has authorized the use of an updated Moderna vaccine for COVID-19 for all Canadians over the age of six months. Empty Moderna vaccine vials are shown before a COVID-19 vaccine drive-thru clinic at Richardson stadium in Kingston, Ont., on Friday, Jul. 2, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg

Fall COVID shots urged as Health Canada approves new Moderna vaccine

Dr. Theresa Tam says it is time for people to top-up their resistance to the virus.

Health Canada has authorized the use of an updated Moderna vaccine for COVID-19 for all Canadians over the age of six months. Empty Moderna vaccine vials are shown before a COVID-19 vaccine drive-thru clinic at Richardson stadium in Kingston, Ont., on Friday, Jul. 2, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg
COVID-19 virus (Black Press file photo).

COVID climbing in B.C. but no more new variant cases detected

Cases, test positivity, hospitalizations and deaths all up in recent weeks

COVID-19 virus (Black Press file photo).
A Fraser Health registered nurse draws a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe at a walk-up vaccination clinic at Bear Creek Park, in Surrey, B.C., on Monday, May 17, 2021. The detection in British Columbia of the country’s first known case of the latest COVID-19 variant should have Canadians ready to roll up their sleeves for newly formulated vaccines to protect against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as influenza and RSV in some cases, an immunologist says.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian scientists monitoring how vaccines will work against latest COVID variant

B.C.’s Health Ministry confirmed the first case of the new variant was detected in the province

A Fraser Health registered nurse draws a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe at a walk-up vaccination clinic at Bear Creek Park, in Surrey, B.C., on Monday, May 17, 2021. The detection in British Columbia of the country’s first known case of the latest COVID-19 variant should have Canadians ready to roll up their sleeves for newly formulated vaccines to protect against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as influenza and RSV in some cases, an immunologist says.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at Vernon Jubilee Hospital Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

COVID outbreak at B.C. hospital results in one death

Four people have been infected since the outbreak was declared Monday, Aug. 28

A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at Vernon Jubilee Hospital Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry looks on as Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks during a press conference at provincial legislature in Victoria, Aug. 23, 2021. Dix and Henry are confirming the province’s first case of a new COVID-19 variant in the province as of Aug. 29, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. confirms 1st case of new COVID variant

Province says a person in Fraser Health has been infected with the BA.2.86 variant of Omicron

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry looks on as Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks during a press conference at provincial legislature in Victoria, Aug. 23, 2021. Dix and Henry are confirming the province’s first case of a new COVID-19 variant in the province as of Aug. 29, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
A man walks past the Supreme Court of Canada, Friday, June 16, 2023 in Ottawa. An Alberta woman who tried to take her fight over COVID vaccine rules to the Supreme Court has died. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Woman who tried to take COVID transplant fight to Supreme Court dies

Sheila Annette Lewis was diagnosed with a terminal disease in 2018

A man walks past the Supreme Court of Canada, Friday, June 16, 2023 in Ottawa. An Alberta woman who tried to take her fight over COVID vaccine rules to the Supreme Court has died. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Visitors and tourists to Parliament Hill stand around the Centennial flame on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. China lifted a pandemic ban on group tours to several countries, including the United States and Australia, but tourists are still be barred from group visits to Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

China leaves Canada off list of countries approved for group tours

Ottawa’s focus on alleged interference could be tied to exclusion from lifting of pandemic ban

Visitors and tourists to Parliament Hill stand around the Centennial flame on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021. China lifted a pandemic ban on group tours to several countries, including the United States and Australia, but tourists are still be barred from group visits to Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The Supreme Court of Canada is shrouded in fog in Ottawa, on Friday, Nov 4, 2022. The Supreme Court of Canada has refused to hear an appeal from three British Columbia churches who argued their constitutional rights were violated when provincial restrictions banned indoor religious services during the COVID-19 pandemic.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Highest court refuses to hear B.C. church appeal on COVID-19 ruling

Langley, Chilliwack and Abbotsford churches contesting ban on indoor religious services

The Supreme Court of Canada is shrouded in fog in Ottawa, on Friday, Nov 4, 2022. The Supreme Court of Canada has refused to hear an appeal from three British Columbia churches who argued their constitutional rights were violated when provincial restrictions banned indoor religious services during the COVID-19 pandemic.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
(File Photo)

New invention from UBC Okanagan detects airborne viruses, like COVID

Researchers from UBCO, Michigan State University, create new system to hopefully prevent pandemics

(File Photo)
FILE - This undated, colorized electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, indicated in yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, indicated in blue/pink, cultured in a laboratory. (NIAID-RML via AP, File)

Long COVID struggles persist, new treatment studies bring hope

U.S. investing in research to address brain fog and other long COVID symptoms affecting millions

FILE - This undated, colorized electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, indicated in yellow, emerging from the surface of cells, indicated in blue/pink, cultured in a laboratory. (NIAID-RML via AP, File)
A man displays his COVID-19 rapid test kit after receiving it at a pharmacy in Montreal, Monday, December 20, 2021. The federal government is sitting on a stockpile of 39 million rapid tests and is struggling to get rid of them without chucking them in the trash, an internal Health Canada memo shows. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Feds struggling to get rid of millions of extra COVID-19 rapid tests

At the end of 2021, the government rapidly bought up rapid antigen tests

A man displays his COVID-19 rapid test kit after receiving it at a pharmacy in Montreal, Monday, December 20, 2021. The federal government is sitting on a stockpile of 39 million rapid tests and is struggling to get rid of them without chucking them in the trash, an internal Health Canada memo shows. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes