COVID-19

The deadline for Canadian businesses to repay pandemic loans and receive partial forgiveness has arrived, as business groups say it could mean closure for many firms. A closed store front boutique business called Francis Watson pleads for help displaying a sign in Toronto on Thursday, April 16, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Deadline to get partial CEBA forgiveness arrives as business groups warn of closures

As of Jan. 15, it’s estimated nearly 70% of recipients have qualified for partial forgiveness

 

Jinelle Woodley has been living with post-COVID syndrome for 21 months. (Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media)

Life derailed: Long COVID still gnaws at Victoria long after pandemic fades

Long, slow path of a constrained self facing thousands dealing with lingering effects of the virus

 

A man turned away from the Agassiz Library for not abiding by COVID-19 mask regulations in 2020 has recently seen a significant setback in a court case against the province and the library. (Adam Louis/Observer)

Court strikes down claims from man who refused to wear mask at B.C. library

Shad Budge claimed COVID-19 regulations infringed on Charter rights

 

Specimens to be tested for COVID-19 are seen at LifeLabs after being logged upon receipt at the company’s lab, in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, March 26, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Company fined $200K after worker found dead of COVID-19 at B.C. work camp

WorkSafeBC says Alberta-based work camp operator wasn’t following public health orders

Specimens to be tested for COVID-19 are seen at LifeLabs after being logged upon receipt at the company’s lab, in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, March 26, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. (News Bulletin file photo)

COVID-19 outbreak declared at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital

Outbreak began Dec. 12, says Island Health

Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. (News Bulletin file photo)
In this April 21, 2020 file photo, a nurse puts on her personal protective equipment prior to entering a patient’s room in the COVID-19 intensive care unit at St. Paul’s hospital in downtown Vancouver. B.C. health officials provided a respiratory illness update on Dec. 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

COVID-19 cases remain low, but flu and RSV creeping up: B.C. health officer

Dr. Bonnie Henry urging people to get vaccines ahead of holiday season

In this April 21, 2020 file photo, a nurse puts on her personal protective equipment prior to entering a patient’s room in the COVID-19 intensive care unit at St. Paul’s hospital in downtown Vancouver. B.C. health officials provided a respiratory illness update on Dec. 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
<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

<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>
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

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)
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

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