Health

Prince Edward Island’s provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa, Friday July 3, 2020. A lozenge plant in Prince Edward Island has laid off 30 workers, citing an “almost non-existent” cold and cough season amid COVID-19 restrictions. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

‘Almost non-existent’ cold and cough season: P.E.I. lozenge plant lays off 30 workers

The apparent drop in winter colds across the country seems to have weakened demand for medicine and natural remedies

 

Avery Brohman, Executive Director of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation. Lia Crowe photograph

Tea with Avery Brohman

Executive Director of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation talks about healthcare and philanthropy

  • Jan 8, 2021

 

Aging gracefully. Lia Crowe photograph

Aging Gracefully

Be Proactive In Preparing Your Mind and Body

  • Jan 1, 2021

 

People walk through the snow in the village of Blue Mountain Ski Resort in The Blue Mountains, Ont., on the first day of a provincial lockdown amid a 12-day trend of over 2,000 daily COVID-19 cases, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

Ontario confirms two cases of COVID-19 variant first discovered in UK

First time the more contagious strain detected in Canada

People walk through the snow in the village of Blue Mountain Ski Resort in The Blue Mountains, Ont., on the first day of a provincial lockdown amid a 12-day trend of over 2,000 daily COVID-19 cases, Saturday, Dec. 26, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston
Ted and Lynne Fraser recorded a video message to express thanks to health-care workers as part of B.C. Transplant’s Operation Popcorn campaign to raise awareness about organ transplants and the need for British Columbians to register as organ donors. (B.C. Transplant/YouTube image)

Vancouver Island transplant recipients have extra reason to thank health-care workers

B.C. Transplant’s Operation Popcorn happening virtually this year

Ted and Lynne Fraser recorded a video message to express thanks to health-care workers as part of B.C. Transplant’s Operation Popcorn campaign to raise awareness about organ transplants and the need for British Columbians to register as organ donors. (B.C. Transplant/YouTube image)
Ten-month-old Aidan Deschamps poses for a photo with his parents Amanda Sully and Adam Deschamps in this undated handout photo. Ten-month-old Aidan Deschamps was the first baby in Canada to be diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy through Ontario’s newborn screening program. The test was added to the program six days before he was born. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Children’s Hospital Eastern Ontario *MANDATORY CREDIT*

First newborn tested for spinal muscular atrophy in Canada hits new milestones

‘If Aidan had been born any earlier or anywhere else our story would be quite different’

Ten-month-old Aidan Deschamps poses for a photo with his parents Amanda Sully and Adam Deschamps in this undated handout photo. Ten-month-old Aidan Deschamps was the first baby in Canada to be diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy through Ontario’s newborn screening program. The test was added to the program six days before he was born. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, Children’s Hospital Eastern Ontario *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Island Health is expanding COVID-19 testing in Nanaimo with a new testing location at Vancouver Island University. (News Bulletin file photo)

Island Health expands COVID-19 testing in Nanaimo

Health authority opens new testing site with double the capacity at Vancouver Island University

Island Health is expanding COVID-19 testing in Nanaimo with a new testing location at Vancouver Island University. (News Bulletin file photo)
Police in Nanaimo never know what they’ll encounter when called upon to check on the well-being of people. (News Bulletin file photo)

A few weeks in the life of the wellness of a community

Nanaimo RCMP find heart-breaks and smiles during a sampling of recent wellness checks

Police in Nanaimo never know what they’ll encounter when called upon to check on the well-being of people. (News Bulletin file photo)
Dr. Sandra Allison is Island Health’s medical health officer for the central Island. (Photo submitted)

OPINION: Don’t let fear take over during the pandemic

Central Island medical health officer shares her reflections riding the bus

  • Nov 30, 2020
Dr. Sandra Allison is Island Health’s medical health officer for the central Island. (Photo submitted)
Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Course. (File photo)

Qualicum Beach golf course notified restaurant patron tests positive for COVID-19

Staff to self-monitor until Nov. 28, can continue with daily duties

Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Course. (File photo)
A Loblaws store is seen Monday, March 9, 2015 in Montreal.Loblaw Companies Ltd. is expanding the launch of its mobile health and wellness app, a digital tool the company says will provide free access to health-care resources and support. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Loblaw expands launch of PC Health app, offering access to nurses, dietitians

The app comes amid an expansion of digital health technologies

A Loblaws store is seen Monday, March 9, 2015 in Montreal.Loblaw Companies Ltd. is expanding the launch of its mobile health and wellness app, a digital tool the company says will provide free access to health-care resources and support. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
(Pxfuel)

46% of Canadians’ daily calories come from ‘ultra-processed’ food: Stats Can

Ultra-processed refers to foods that are ‘mainly formulations of industrial ingredients’

(Pxfuel)
Robert Johnston-Harper (extreme left) with his siblings. The 13-year-old will get a prosthetic eye after a recent injury led to the removal of his eye. His grandmother Laura Johnston has set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for her “miracle” grandchild who has been fighting medical conditions since birth. (Submitted photo)

A Vancouver Island grandmother is raising funds for grandson’s prosthetic eye

An injury led to the removal of 13-year-old Robert Johnston-Harper’s left eye

Robert Johnston-Harper (extreme left) with his siblings. The 13-year-old will get a prosthetic eye after a recent injury led to the removal of his eye. His grandmother Laura Johnston has set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for her “miracle” grandchild who has been fighting medical conditions since birth. (Submitted photo)
Hey, it’s Dr. Bonnie Henry here at the Chemainus Health Care Centre. (Photo courtesy of Darlene MacDonald)

Dr. Henry Halloween decoration brightens the decor at the Chemainus Health Care Centre

Gentle personality guiding our actions amid a time of normally scary creatures

Hey, it’s Dr. Bonnie Henry here at the Chemainus Health Care Centre. (Photo courtesy of Darlene MacDonald)
A monument was unveiled during a ceremony in Tofino last week honouring Jo-Ann Fuller and Ivan Polivka. The monument will be placed on Hwy. 4 near Kennedy Lake. (Photo courtesy of Ambulance Paramedics and Emergency Dispatchers of BC)

In the line of duty: Remembering two beloved Vancouver Island paramedics

Sombre ceremony held in Tofino to mark 10th anniversary of fatal Kennedy Lake ambulance crash

A monument was unveiled during a ceremony in Tofino last week honouring Jo-Ann Fuller and Ivan Polivka. The monument will be placed on Hwy. 4 near Kennedy Lake. (Photo courtesy of Ambulance Paramedics and Emergency Dispatchers of BC)
(file)

Province rejects Parksville needle bylaw as counter-productive to health and safety

Mayor says he fails to understand the logic against proposed limits on hypodermic distribution

  • Oct 29, 2020
(file)
A Victoria nurse is reminding people that wearing a mask under one’s nose or chin offers no protection. (Ashley Wadhwani/Black Press Media)

Vancouver Island, if you’re going to mask up, mask up right

Masks don’t offer protection when worn improperly, Victoria nurse reminds people

A Victoria nurse is reminding people that wearing a mask under one’s nose or chin offers no protection. (Ashley Wadhwani/Black Press Media)
Island Heath has issued an overdose advisory for the Cowichan Valley. If someone has overdosed, administering naloxone can help. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress file photo)

Overdose advisory issued for Cowichan Valley

Drug users are warned to take steps to protect themselves

Island Heath has issued an overdose advisory for the Cowichan Valley. If someone has overdosed, administering naloxone can help. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress file photo)
Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid skates during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames in Edmonton, Alta., on Friday December 27, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid tests positive for COVID-19

Superstar self-quarantining at home, experiencing mild symptoms

Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid skates during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames in Edmonton, Alta., on Friday December 27, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Rob Jonas, president of the Parksville Golden Oldies Sports Association, visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studios. (Peter McCully photo)

PQBeat: A chat with Parksville Golden Oldies Sports Association president Rob Jonas

Podcast: Discussion includes COVID-19 issues, programs offered and more

Rob Jonas, president of the Parksville Golden Oldies Sports Association, visits the PQB News/VI Free Daily studios. (Peter McCully photo)