COVID-19

<div>According to a new poll, 79 per cent of Canadians and 84 per cent of Americans reported believing in at least one conspiracy theory. Signs warn about trespassing at an entrance to the Nevada Test and Training Range near Area 51 outside of Rachel, Nev., July 22, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-John Locher</div>

From COVID-19 to alien contact, conspiracy theories are popular in Canada: survey

A whopping 30% of respondents said they think evidence of alien contact is being hidden from the public

 

Ombudsperson Jay Chalke said thousands of British Columbians are still waiting for financial compensation after government unfairly stripped them of a COVID-19 benefit worth $1,000. (Office of the Ombudsperson)

Thousands unfairly stripped of COVID-19 emergency benefit: BC Ombudsperson

Provincial government failed to inform British Columbians of changes in eligibility

 

Dr. John Forster-Coull at Victoria Compounding Pharmacy holds an Influenza vaccine. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

Greater Victoria residents should get COVID-19, flu shots together: pharmacist

Vaccination coverage is back to the pre-pandemic levels

 

Warrant Officer James Topp leaves the Royal Westminster Regiment during an adjournment during his court martial in New Westminster, on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. The prosecution at the military court martial of Topp is calling for severe punishment for the soldier with more than 30 years of experience for his actions to leverage public support against the Armed Forces and the federal government. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

B.C. anti-vax soldier came close to mutiny and must be punished: prosecutor

James Topp pleaded guilty to 2 counts of conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline

Warrant Officer James Topp leaves the Royal Westminster Regiment during an adjournment during his court martial in New Westminster, on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. The prosecution at the military court martial of Topp is calling for severe punishment for the soldier with more than 30 years of experience for his actions to leverage public support against the Armed Forces and the federal government. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at Saanich Peninsula Hospital after 15 patients tested positive. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich Peninsula Hospital sees COVID-19 outbreak

Island Health says 15 patients tested positive

A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at Saanich Peninsula Hospital after 15 patients tested positive. (Black Press Media file photo)
Some 50 people rallied outside the provincial legislature against the provincial vaccine mandate and Bill 36.(Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Group rallies outside B.C. Legislature against health care vaccine mandate

Health Minister Adrian Dix defends mandate and provincial health officer Bonnie Henry against attack

Some 50 people rallied outside the provincial legislature against the provincial vaccine mandate and Bill 36.(Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Penticton's Law Courts. (Monique Tamminga - Western News)

‘Freeman’ sentenced to jail for assaulting B.C. senior Walmart greeter

Timothy Beresford punched the greeter over being refused entry for not wearing a mask

Penticton's Law Courts. (Monique Tamminga - Western News)
A mink stares out of its pen at a fur farm near St. Marys, Ont., Thursday, July 9, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Geoff Robins

B.C. mink farmers sue province over 2021 COVID-19-related shutdown

Lawsuit claims undue influence exercised when health authorities closed Fraser Valley farms in 2021

A mink stares out of its pen at a fur farm near St. Marys, Ont., Thursday, July 9, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Geoff Robins
Mona Consignment store owner Deanne Young by the loungewear racks. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

B.C. consignment store sees surge in people dumping COVID-19 clothing

Many no longer wear the leisure wear they purchased during the pandemic, so they consign it

Mona Consignment store owner Deanne Young by the loungewear racks. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
Doctors say it’s important to get the updated version of the COVID-19 vaccine, which offers protection against the XBB.1.5 subvariant driving a current rise in cases. A pharmacist prepares to administer a Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine at a CVS, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Cypress, Texas. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Melissa Phillip-Houston Chronicle via AP

Doctors say we need the new COVID shot. So why haven’t we heard more about it?

B.C. taking more proactive approach than other provinces with notification system

Doctors say it’s important to get the updated version of the COVID-19 vaccine, which offers protection against the XBB.1.5 subvariant driving a current rise in cases. A pharmacist prepares to administer a Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine at a CVS, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Cypress, Texas. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Melissa Phillip-Houston Chronicle via AP
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
A protester, later identified as Silke Schulze, was filmed by students hurling expletives and racist comments during a anti-COVID protest held near the Oliver high school in 2022. (Youtube)

Case dropped against B.C. woman filmed shouting racial abuse at teens

Silke Schulze was filmed harassing kids outside Oliver’s high school in 2022 during the pandemic

A protester, later identified as Silke Schulze, was filmed by students hurling expletives and racist comments during a anti-COVID protest held near the Oliver high school in 2022. (Youtube)
On Aug. 31 at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital, 18 patients tested positive for COVID-19 although the hospital did not declare it an outbreak. (Black Press Media File Photo)

18 COVID-19 cases not called an outbreak at Saanich Peninsula Hospital

But 11 cases at Victoria General Hospital were classified as an outbreak

On Aug. 31 at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital, 18 patients tested positive for COVID-19 although the hospital did not declare it an outbreak. (Black Press Media File Photo)
Dr. Reka Gustafson, chief medical health officer for Vancouver Island. (Submitted photo)

PODCAST: COVID, flu update with Dr. Reka Gustafson

TODAY IN B.C.: Health officer addresses common myths, evolving nature of pandemic

Dr. Reka Gustafson, chief medical health officer for Vancouver Island. (Submitted photo)
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).
Fraser Health held a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib in Surrey on May 7, 2021. A 2023 report notes that half of British Columbians are tired of having to get vaccinated. (Lauren Collins)

Vaccine fatigue: 55% of British Columbians plan to get a COVID shot this fall

Half of British Columbians say they’re tired of having to get vaccinated

Fraser Health held a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib in Surrey on May 7, 2021. A 2023 report notes that half of British Columbians are tired of having to get vaccinated. (Lauren Collins)
A registered nurse pulls on an N-95 mask in a COVID Acute Care Unit in Seattle, Washington. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Masking returning to B.C. hospitals, clinics as respiratory illnesses rise

COVID-19, influenza vaccines to begin rolling out in early October

A registered nurse pulls on an N-95 mask in a COVID Acute Care Unit in Seattle, Washington. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
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