COVID-19

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks at the Canada Strong and Free Network in Ottawa on Thursday, March 23, 2023. Smith says she has been contacted by the province’s ethics commissioner, who is investigating whether or not she interfered in the administration of justice. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Alberta premier says she’s under ethics investigation related to COVID-19 prosecution

‘The premier welcomes this investigation, (and) is fully co-operating’

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks at the Canada Strong and Free Network in Ottawa on Thursday, March 23, 2023. Smith says she has been contacted by the province’s ethics commissioner, who is investigating whether or not she interfered in the administration of justice. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. British Columbia is introducing a policy of decriminalization on Tuesday as part of what it says is an overall plan to prevent overdose deaths from illicit drugs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. lifts proof of vaccination, masking requirements for entering health-care facilities

Public health officer Bonnie Henry said masking will still be necessary in some settings

B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. British Columbia is introducing a policy of decriminalization on Tuesday as part of what it says is an overall plan to prevent overdose deaths from illicit drugs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE - A woman walks outside of a COVID-19 testing center at the Incheon International Airport In Incheon, South Korea, on Feb. 10, 2023. Officials at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Wednesday, April 5, that wastewater surveillance will potentially provide a cheaper and more sustainable tool in the country’s pandemic response. They say it could also improve the detection of other outbreaks, such as influenza, norovirus or drug-resistant bacteria. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)

South Korea to test sewage samples for COVID-19

South Korea this month will begin weekly tests of sewage produced by…

FILE - A woman walks outside of a COVID-19 testing center at the Incheon International Airport In Incheon, South Korea, on Feb. 10, 2023. Officials at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Wednesday, April 5, that wastewater surveillance will potentially provide a cheaper and more sustainable tool in the country’s pandemic response. They say it could also improve the detection of other outbreaks, such as influenza, norovirus or drug-resistant bacteria. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)
Salvatore Vetro’s recall petition against Premier David Eby has failed after Vetro did not submit the necessary paperwork by March 20. (Photo courtesy of Salvatore Vetro)

Recall petition against Premier Eby fails

Salvatore Vetro, which launched the petition, failed to submit it by March 20 deadline

Salvatore Vetro’s recall petition against Premier David Eby has failed after Vetro did not submit the necessary paperwork by March 20. (Photo courtesy of Salvatore Vetro)
The Post-COVID clinic at Royal Jubilee Hospital with transition to a virtual model April 1, 2023. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Victoria post-COVID clinics close for in-person treatment, transition to virtual care

The Provincial Health Authority says referrals are low and many are already accessing care virtually

The Post-COVID clinic at Royal Jubilee Hospital with transition to a virtual model April 1, 2023. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
The art exhibit ‘COVID versus Climate Change,’ in which seven artists explore both topics, will take place at the Gabriola Arts and Heritage Centre from March 17-19. (Submitted image)

Gabriola Island artists explore how COVID and climate change intersect

Three-day art show will be held at Gabriola Arts and Heritage Centre from March 17-19

The art exhibit ‘COVID versus Climate Change,’ in which seven artists explore both topics, will take place at the Gabriola Arts and Heritage Centre from March 17-19. (Submitted image)
A woman hugs another returning on one of the few overseas flight arriving at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, Tuesday, March 14, 2023. China will reopen its borders to tourists and resume issuing all visas Wednesday after a three-year halt during the pandemic as it sought to boost its tourism and economy. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

China to reopen to tourists, resume all visas Wednesday

China will reopen its borders to tourists and resume issuing all visas…

A woman hugs another returning on one of the few overseas flight arriving at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, Tuesday, March 14, 2023. China will reopen its borders to tourists and resume issuing all visas Wednesday after a three-year halt during the pandemic as it sought to boost its tourism and economy. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
FILE - A man walks by Pfizer headquarters, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, in New York. Pfizer will spend about $43 billion to buy Seagen and broaden its reach into cancer treatments, the pharmaceutical giant said Monday, March 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Pfizer buys Seagen for $43B, boosts access to cancer drugs

Pfizer is spending about $43 billion to reach deeper into new cancer…

FILE - A man walks by Pfizer headquarters, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, in New York. Pfizer will spend about $43 billion to buy Seagen and broaden its reach into cancer treatments, the pharmaceutical giant said Monday, March 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says all British Columbians can “likely” get a COVID-19 boosters in the fall as part of a campaign that might become an annual ritual like the a flu-vaccination campaign.

B.C. announces spring COVID-19 boosters to be available soon

Henry also added that a fall booster will likely be available for all British Columbians

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says all British Columbians can “likely” get a COVID-19 boosters in the fall as part of a campaign that might become an annual ritual like the a flu-vaccination campaign.
Michael Pickup appears at the legislature in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. Pickup, now British Columbia’s auditor general, says the Ministry of Health should have access to a registry of residents and staff in long-term care facilities as well as heath-care workers after concluding it sometimes “struggled” to collect reliable COVID-19 vaccination information for high-risk groups. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

B.C.’s auditor general says data gaps during COVID-19 vaccine rollout posed risks

Obstacles included staff turnover and a lack of data on privately funded facilities

Michael Pickup appears at the legislature in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. Pickup, now British Columbia’s auditor general, says the Ministry of Health should have access to a registry of residents and staff in long-term care facilities as well as heath-care workers after concluding it sometimes “struggled” to collect reliable COVID-19 vaccination information for high-risk groups. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
Three churches who challenged bans on group services during the COVID lockdowns are trying to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. (File photo by The Canadian Press)

Fraser Valley churches take COVID gathering ban appeal to top court

Langley, Abbotsford, and Chilliwack churches are seeking a Supreme Court of Canada hearing

Three churches who challenged bans on group services during the COVID lockdowns are trying to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. (File photo by The Canadian Press)
Hundreds of people march along Yale Road near Hodgins Avenue during a so-called Fraser Valley Freedom Rally on Saturday, April 3, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

OPINION: The staggering socioeconomic costs of COVID anti-vaxxer behaviour

COVID-is-a-hoax crowd caused thousands more deaths, hundreds of millions in hospital costs: report

Hundreds of people march along Yale Road near Hodgins Avenue during a so-called Fraser Valley Freedom Rally on Saturday, April 3, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)
A British Columbia advocacy organization says child poverty decreased in the province in 2020 due to government benefits launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the progress may be wiped out by rising living costs. A silhouette against the sky of a man holding a child in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, June 26, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Charlie Riedel

Pandemic benefits pushed down B.C.’s child poverty rate in 2020: advocacy group

Report shows 2020 child poverty rate was 13.3 per cent, a decrease from 18 per cent in 2019

A British Columbia advocacy organization says child poverty decreased in the province in 2020 due to government benefits launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the progress may be wiped out by rising living costs. A silhouette against the sky of a man holding a child in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, June 26, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Charlie Riedel
A COVID-19 test. Island Health workers are being urged to not get tested. (Black Press Media file photo)

CAMPBELL: ‘Atrocious’: Sick Vancouver Island health workers urged by bosses to not test for COVID-19

New memo seems to run counter to provincial policy on isolation

A COVID-19 test. Island Health workers are being urged to not get tested. (Black Press Media file photo)
Artist Fran Usher will present an art installation at the Gabriola Art Council on South Road based on a board game created in response to observed human behaviour during the COVID pandemic. Community members are invited to observe the installation, or play the game, Feb. 4-5. (Submitted photo)

Gabriola artist’s ‘Game of Immunity’ pandemic board game offers ‘glimpse into the absurd’

Fran Usher’s art installation showing at the Gabriola Arts Council this weekend

Artist Fran Usher will present an art installation at the Gabriola Art Council on South Road based on a board game created in response to observed human behaviour during the COVID pandemic. Community members are invited to observe the installation, or play the game, Feb. 4-5. (Submitted photo)
(Pastor Arthur Lucier/Instagram)

Lawyer questions consitutional right for B.C. pastor to be denied COVID appeal

Arthur Lucier wants to challenge the ‘constitutionality’ of 2021 Public Health Orders and his freedoms

(Pastor Arthur Lucier/Instagram)
A health-care worker pushes a patient across a connecting bridge at a hospital in Montreal, Thursday, July 14, 2022. A new report says misinformation about COVID-19 contributed to more than 2,800 Canadian deaths and at least $300 million in hospital and ICU visits. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

COVID-19 misinformation contributed to 2,800 Canadian deaths, report suggests

Findings: vaccine hesitancy affected more than 2.35 million people between March and November 2021

A health-care worker pushes a patient across a connecting bridge at a hospital in Montreal, Thursday, July 14, 2022. A new report says misinformation about COVID-19 contributed to more than 2,800 Canadian deaths and at least $300 million in hospital and ICU visits. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Regional District of Nanaimo board chair Vanessa Craig. (Submitted photo)

PODCAST: A look ahead to 2023 with Vanessa Craig, board chair for the RDN

PQBeat: Talk includes importance of working with neighbouring municipal governments

Regional District of Nanaimo board chair Vanessa Craig. (Submitted photo)
This photo provided by Amy Watson of Portland, Ore., shows her during an iron infusion in December 2022. Watson, approaching 50, says she has “never had any kind of recovery” from COVID-19. She has had severe migraines, plus digestive, nerve and foot problems. Recently she developed severe anemia. (Amy Watson via AP)

Long COVID: Could mono virus or fat cells be playing roles?

A British historian, an Italian archaeologist and an American preschool teacher have…

This photo provided by Amy Watson of Portland, Ore., shows her during an iron infusion in December 2022. Watson, approaching 50, says she has “never had any kind of recovery” from COVID-19. She has had severe migraines, plus digestive, nerve and foot problems. Recently she developed severe anemia. (Amy Watson via AP)
A passenger checks her phone as an Air China passenger jet taxi past at the Beijing Capital International airport in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. China will drop a COVID-19 quarantine requirement for passengers arriving from abroad starting Jan. 8. The National Health Commission announced the change Monday, Dec. 26, 2022 as part of the latest easing of China’s once strict virus control measures. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

China to scrap COVID-19 quarantine for incoming passengers

Country abruptly dropped many pandemic restrictions earlier this month

A passenger checks her phone as an Air China passenger jet taxi past at the Beijing Capital International airport in Beijing, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. China will drop a COVID-19 quarantine requirement for passengers arriving from abroad starting Jan. 8. The National Health Commission announced the change Monday, Dec. 26, 2022 as part of the latest easing of China’s once strict virus control measures. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)