Coronavirus

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
The first vial of paediatric COVID-19 vaccine used in Toronto. Children who are part of the Hospital for Sick Children family between the ages of 5 and 11 years of age are some of the first to get vaccinated for COVID-19 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, in Toronto, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Steve Russell, POOL

COVID-19 shots arriving Monday for B.C. 5- to 11-year-olds

About 91,000 of 350,000 eligible children have been registered for vaccination so far

The first vial of paediatric COVID-19 vaccine used in Toronto. Children who are part of the Hospital for Sick Children family between the ages of 5 and 11 years of age are some of the first to get vaccinated for COVID-19 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, in Toronto, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Steve Russell, POOL
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry provides an update on the COVID-19 pandemic at the B.C. legislature, Nov. 16, 2021. (B.C. government photo)

B.C. records 324 more COVID-19 cases, one death Tuesday

Outbreaks in hospitals, senior care homes declining

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry provides an update on the COVID-19 pandemic at the B.C. legislature, Nov. 16, 2021. (B.C. government photo)
Gov. Gen. Mary Simon delivers the Throne Speech in the Senate in Ottawa on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

COVID-19 recovery top priority in throne speech, but GG provides little detail

Government vows to work on myriad health-care issues highlighted or exacerbated by health crisis

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon delivers the Throne Speech in the Senate in Ottawa on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
More than three million children in the U.S. aged five to 11 have been immunized with the child dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine so far, and B.C.’s program starts next week. Here Gage Peterson, 11, holds six-year-old Duke Peterson’s hand as he gets his vaccination in Everett, Washington on November 6, 2021. (Kevin Clark/Everett Herald)

B.C. kids 5-11 should have appointments for COVID-19 vaccination

Thousands of parents registering for shots that begin on Nov. 29

More than three million children in the U.S. aged five to 11 have been immunized with the child dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine so far, and B.C.’s program starts next week. Here Gage Peterson, 11, holds six-year-old Duke Peterson’s hand as he gets his vaccination in Everett, Washington on November 6, 2021. (Kevin Clark/Everett Herald)
A WestJet Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is seen parked at a gate at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, January 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. CDC stops posting COVID flight exposures ahead of vaccine mandate for travellers

All travellers on planes and trains in B.C. must be fully vaccinated

A WestJet Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is seen parked at a gate at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, January 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck