Coronavirus

COVID-19 virus (file photo).

Canada attends emergency G7 health meeting on Omicron variant

First cases of COVID-19 strain reported in Ontario and Quebec

 

Passengers wait at a ticket counter at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo’s airport, Monday Nov. 29, 2021. The World Health Organisation urged countries around the world not to impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concern over the new omicron variant. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Travel restrictions amid Omicron variant strand Canadian field hockey team

Athletes in several sports pondering what might come next, including Olympic concerns

 

Anna-Belle, a therapy dog belonging to Colleen Dell, waits in a vaccination clinic in Saskatoon, Sask., in this recent handout photo. Children aren't the only new arrivals at Canada's COVID-19 vaccination clinics now that a growing number of provinces are allowing therapy dogs inside to help calm those who may be nervous about getting their shots. Children and adults with a fear of needles, or who worry about getting a protective jab against COVID-19, are petting dogs to reduce anxiety at some vaccination centres in Saskatchewan, Quebec and British Columbia. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Colleen Dell

Dogs trained to comfort nervous people, help kids get COVID-19 vaccines

St. John Ambulance has taken their therapy dogs into Covid-19 vaccine clinics in Penticton and Trail

 

A plane is silhouetted as it takes off from Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., Monday, May 13, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Omicron response should focus on global vaccine equity, not travel bans: scientists

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called the restrictions ‘completely unjustified’

A plane is silhouetted as it takes off from Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, B.C., Monday, May 13, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
FILE – This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the virus that causes COVID-19. (NIAID-RML via AP, File)

Canada’s first 2 cases of Omicron COVID variant detected in Ontario

Both cases are linked to travel

FILE – This undated electron microscope image made available by the U.S. National Institutes of Health in February 2020 shows the virus that causes COVID-19. (NIAID-RML via AP, File)
A sign reading ‘Stay safe’ in Regent Street, in London, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. A slew of nations moved to stop air travel from southern Africa on Friday, and stocks plunged in Asia and Europe in reaction to news of a new, potentially more transmissible COVID-19 variant. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

COVID variant spreads to more countries as world on alert

Italy and Germany were the latest to report confirmed cases of the omicron variant

A sign reading ‘Stay safe’ in Regent Street, in London, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. A slew of nations moved to stop air travel from southern Africa on Friday, and stocks plunged in Asia and Europe in reaction to news of a new, potentially more transmissible COVID-19 variant. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has issued a statement about a new COVID-19 variant of concern, “Omicron.” Pictured here, Henry receiving a seasonal influenza vaccination in October. (B.C. government photo)

B.C. health officials report 341 new COVID cases, issue statement on Omicron variant

Effect of ‘Omicron’ variant on transmission and severity not yet known

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has issued a statement about a new COVID-19 variant of concern, “Omicron.” Pictured here, Henry receiving a seasonal influenza vaccination in October. (B.C. government photo)
Vancouver International Airport (YVR Airport/Twitter)

COVID-19 variant prompts ban on travellers from southern Africa

Currently there are no direct flights from South Africa to Canada

Vancouver International Airport (YVR Airport/Twitter)
Morgan Witte, 48, was intubated and on a ventilator in hospital for two weeks because of COVID-19. (Photo submitted)

‘It almost killed me’: B.C. trucker on a long road to recovery from COVID-19

Morgan Witte, 48, spent more than three weeks in the hospital, much of it on a ventilator

Morgan Witte, 48, was intubated and on a ventilator in hospital for two weeks because of COVID-19. (Photo submitted)
B.C. Labour Minister Harry Bains takes questions about his decision to keep secret-ballot votes for union certification, as demanded by the B.C. Green Party, Nov. 20, 2019. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)

Pandemic-battered B.C. small businesses say they can’t afford sick pay

Labour minister says 5 days reflects average usage of paid leave

B.C. Labour Minister Harry Bains takes questions about his decision to keep secret-ballot votes for union certification, as demanded by the B.C. Green Party, Nov. 20, 2019. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press)
The landing web page for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit is seen in Toronto, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini

Some CERB recipients set to get notices that they owe feds some of the aid

Notice due to overpayment, flexible repayment schedule available, no penalties or interest charged

The landing web page for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit is seen in Toronto, Monday, Aug. 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Giordano Ciampini
FILE - This undated file image provided by Merck & Co. shows their new antiviral medication. U.S. health officials say Merck’s experimental COVID-19 pill is effective but raises safety issues for pregnant women. The Food and Drug Administration posted its review Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 ahead of a public meeting next week where outside experts will debate the drug’s benefits and risks. (Merck & Co. via AP, File)

U.S. FDA says Merck COVID pill effective, experts will review safety

Drug would be the first that U.S. patients could take at home to ease symptoms and speed recovery

FILE - This undated file image provided by Merck & Co. shows their new antiviral medication. U.S. health officials say Merck’s experimental COVID-19 pill is effective but raises safety issues for pregnant women. The Food and Drug Administration posted its review Friday, Nov. 26, 2021 ahead of a public meeting next week where outside experts will debate the drug’s benefits and risks. (Merck & Co. via AP, File)
Daily cases reported to B.C. public health to Nov. 21, 2021, seven-day rolling average in white. (B.C. Centre for Disease Control)

B.C. reports 424 more COVID-19 cases Thursday, 3 deaths

Two more hospital outbreaks, hospital cases decline

Daily cases reported to B.C. public health to Nov. 21, 2021, seven-day rolling average in white. (B.C. Centre for Disease Control)
FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2020 file photo, a view of the TikTok app logo, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File) FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2020 file photo, a view of the TikTok app logo, in Tokyo. The Biden administration is putting on hold a deal brokered by the Trump administration that would have had Oracle and Walmart buying a big stake in popular video app TikTok, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)

More scrutiny needed of TikTok’s reach, influence on public health: B.C. researchers

Researchers need to get ahead of misinformation and not just in regards to COVID

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2020 file photo, a view of the TikTok app logo, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File) FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2020 file photo, a view of the TikTok app logo, in Tokyo. The Biden administration is putting on hold a deal brokered by the Trump administration that would have had Oracle and Walmart buying a big stake in popular video app TikTok, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)
FILE - Lights illuminate the Christmas market in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 22, 2021. Despite the pandemic inconveniences, stall owners selling ornaments, roasted chestnuts and other holiday-themed items in Frankfurt and other European cities are relieved to be open at all for their first Christmas market in two years, especially with new restrictions taking effect in Germany, Austria and other countries as COVID-19 infections hit record highs. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, File)

Europe’s Christmas markets warily open as COVID cases rise

Despite inconveniences, stall owners relieved for their first Christmas market in two years

FILE - Lights illuminate the Christmas market in Frankfurt, Germany, Nov. 22, 2021. Despite the pandemic inconveniences, stall owners selling ornaments, roasted chestnuts and other holiday-themed items in Frankfurt and other European cities are relieved to be open at all for their first Christmas market in two years, especially with new restrictions taking effect in Germany, Austria and other countries as COVID-19 infections hit record highs. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, File)
Ralph Cole receives his first COVID-19 vaccination the South Cariboo Health Centre, March 2021. B.C. residents aged 70 and older are currently getting booster third doses, as their immunity is less than younger people. (Patrick Davies/100 Mile Free Press)

B.C. records 9 more deaths, 322 new COVID-19 infections Wednesday

Outbreaks in health care system continue to decline

Ralph Cole receives his first COVID-19 vaccination the South Cariboo Health Centre, March 2021. B.C. residents aged 70 and older are currently getting booster third doses, as their immunity is less than younger people. (Patrick Davies/100 Mile Free Press)
Chrystia Freeland Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance speaks at the Toronto Global Forum in Toronto, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Liberals introduce bill with targeted pandemic aid for businesses, workers

Proposal: $300 per week to workers off the job because of a pandemic-related lockdown

Chrystia Freeland Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance speaks at the Toronto Global Forum in Toronto, Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
B.C. Labour Minister Harry Bains. (Hansard TV)

B.C. requires 5 days a year of paid sick days starting in 2022

New program replaces temporary 3-day government payments

B.C. Labour Minister Harry Bains. (Hansard TV)
There is no truth to rumours about stillbirths at Lions Gate Hospital being related to mothers being vaccinated against COVID-19, states Vancouver Coastal Health. (Black Press Media file)

B.C. health authority dispels stillbirth COVID vaccination rumours at North Van hospital

Vancouver Coastal Health says no evidence of added risk of early pregnancy loss after vaccination

There is no truth to rumours about stillbirths at Lions Gate Hospital being related to mothers being vaccinated against COVID-19, states Vancouver Coastal Health. (Black Press Media file)
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney speaks after the United Conservative Party annual meeting in Calgary on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. Kenney says Alberta will begin taking online COVID-19 vaccination bookings for youngsters starting Wednesday morning. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Larry MacDougal

Alberta now taking COVID-19 vaccination bookings for children 5 to 11

Inoculations are to begin Friday

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney speaks after the United Conservative Party annual meeting in Calgary on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021. Kenney says Alberta will begin taking online COVID-19 vaccination bookings for youngsters starting Wednesday morning. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Larry MacDougal