Coronavirus

Jimmy Staveris, manager of Dunn’s Famous restaurant, scans the COVID-19 QR code of a customer in Montreal, Wednesday, September 1, 2021. Vaccine passports are emerging as the latest pandemic minefield for restaurant workers in Canada, one riddled with verbal abuse, sexual harassment, racism and forged documents. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Anger, abuse and racism: Restaurant workers struggle to enforce vaccine mandates

Vaccine passports have been another difficulty for an industry already mired in pandemic struggles

 

Kim Lysak, assistant chief flight instructor with Aurora Aviation Academy flies over Chilliwack on Sept. 9, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

B.C. flight school expanding amid a global pilot shortage

COVID has decimated the industry but Aurora Aviation sees opportunity on the horizon

 

British Columbia’s provincial flag flies on a flagpole in Ottawa, Friday July 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Two B.C. women file constitutional challenge of vaccine card

Claim says both women have medical issues tied to vaccinations

 

Fraser Health hosts same-day vaccine clinic at Newton Recreation Centre in Surrey, June 1, 2021. (Photo: City of Surrey)

B.C. reports 13 more COVID-19 deaths, 667 new cases Friday

Infection rate remains high in Northern Health region

Fraser Health hosts same-day vaccine clinic at Newton Recreation Centre in Surrey, June 1, 2021. (Photo: City of Surrey)
Ambulance paramedic in full protective gear works outside Lion’s Gate Hospital, March 23, 2020. Paramedics and hospital staff are required to be vaccinated as of Oct. 26. (The Canadian Press)

B.C. vaccination order extending to hospitals, community care

Dentists, doctors, nurses, mental health, ministry contractors

Ambulance paramedic in full protective gear works outside Lion’s Gate Hospital, March 23, 2020. Paramedics and hospital staff are required to be vaccinated as of Oct. 26. (The Canadian Press)
B.C. health care worker dons personal protective equipment for infection control. Similar outfits including gowns, a mask, a face shield and gloves will be worn by workers in GR Baker’s inpatient unit. (The Canadian Press)

Quesnel COVID-19 hospital outbreak declared as cases rise in region

Outbreak of COVID-19 was declared at GR Baker Memorial Hospital on Oct. 15

B.C. health care worker dons personal protective equipment for infection control. Similar outfits including gowns, a mask, a face shield and gloves will be worn by workers in GR Baker’s inpatient unit. (The Canadian Press)
University Hospital of Northern B.C. in Prince George is one of the facilities over capacity with critically ill patients, many with COVID-19. (UBC photo)

Northern B.C. COVID-19 crisis brings back private home restrictions

Bars closed, household only for those not yet vaccinated

University Hospital of Northern B.C. in Prince George is one of the facilities over capacity with critically ill patients, many with COVID-19. (UBC photo)
The International Rainbow Bridge connecting Niagara Falls, Ont. and Niagara Falls, N.Y. is shown on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. The United States border will reopen to non-essential travel in November to fully vaccinated Canadians after a record long closure due to concerns over COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Lynett

White House says U.S. land borders to reopen to vaccinated travellers Nov. 8

Travellers will need to show proof of vaccination upon request

The International Rainbow Bridge connecting Niagara Falls, Ont. and Niagara Falls, N.Y. is shown on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. The United States border will reopen to non-essential travel in November to fully vaccinated Canadians after a record long closure due to concerns over COVID-19. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Lynett
A pop-up vaccine clinic stopped by Harrison Hot Springs in September. (Adam Louis/Agassiz-Harrison Observer)

Another 580 COVID-19 cases in B.C. Thursday, 9 deaths

Now 378 people in hospital as northern restrictions added

A pop-up vaccine clinic stopped by Harrison Hot Springs in September. (Adam Louis/Agassiz-Harrison Observer)
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry have been working to contain COVID-19 transmission in Northern B.C. (B.C. government)

Northern B.C. COVID-19 restrictions don’t extend west of Kitwanga

Smithers, Prince George, Quesnel, Peace region see bars closing

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry have been working to contain COVID-19 transmission in Northern B.C. (B.C. government)
The Canadian and American flags are seen on top of the Peace Arch is at the Canada/USA border in Surrey, B.C. on March 20, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan

Canada must stay vigilant against COVID-19, including with border testing: Freeland

Deputy Prime Minister pours cold water on letting travellers enter Canada without a COVID-19 test

The Canadian and American flags are seen on top of the Peace Arch is at the Canada/USA border in Surrey, B.C. on March 20, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan
FILE - In this Friday, Jan. 22, 2021 file photo, a woman combs the hair of her sister, a COVID-19 patient, at the intensive care unit of the Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut, Lebanon. As coronavirus vaccines trickle into some of the poorest countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, data suggest some women are consistently missing out, in another illustration of how the doses are being unevenly distributed around the world. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein, file)

‘Marginalized’: Women trail men in global vaccine efforts

Women in impoverished communities worldwide facing obstacles accessing vaccines

FILE - In this Friday, Jan. 22, 2021 file photo, a woman combs the hair of her sister, a COVID-19 patient, at the intensive care unit of the Rafik Hariri University Hospital in Beirut, Lebanon. As coronavirus vaccines trickle into some of the poorest countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, data suggest some women are consistently missing out, in another illustration of how the doses are being unevenly distributed around the world. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein, file)
Homes in Delta, B.C., right, and Point Roberts, Wash., left, are separated by the Canada-U.S. border which is just north of Roosevelt Way, centre, in Point Roberts, as seen in an aerial view on Wednesday, October 13, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canada-locked US border town wants COVID test exemption

Point Roberts, Wash., leaders want exception made to address its unique situation

Homes in Delta, B.C., right, and Point Roberts, Wash., left, are separated by the Canada-U.S. border which is just north of Roosevelt Way, centre, in Point Roberts, as seen in an aerial view on Wednesday, October 13, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Health workers screen people for tuberculosis and leprosy in Dharavi, one of Asia’s biggest slums, in Mumbai, India, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Tuberculosis deaths rise for 1st time in years, due to COVID-19

U.N. health agency said 1.5 million people worldwide died of the bacterial disease last year

Health workers screen people for tuberculosis and leprosy in Dharavi, one of Asia’s biggest slums, in Mumbai, India, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)
FILE – People wear masks as they pass a pharmacy offering flu shots in downtown Calgary, Alta., Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, amid a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

B.C. doctor urges vaccines as ‘resurgence’ in flu expected to coincide with 4th COVID wave

After almost no influenza last year, flu season is expected to be severe this fall and winter

FILE – People wear masks as they pass a pharmacy offering flu shots in downtown Calgary, Alta., Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, amid a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Daily COVID-19 cases reported to B.C. public health, up to Oct. 11, 2021. White line is seven-day moving average. (B.C. Centre for Disease Control)

B.C. counts 605 new cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, 4 deaths

Hospitalized patients up to 374, most new cases in Fraser

Daily COVID-19 cases reported to B.C. public health, up to Oct. 11, 2021. White line is seven-day moving average. (B.C. Centre for Disease Control)
A message of support on the closed front door of the Whistle Stop Café during a rally against measures taken by government and health authorities to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Mirror, Alberta on Saturday May 8, 2021. Christopher Scott, owner of the Whistle Stop Café in the hamlet of Mirror, northeast of Red Deer, will pay $20,000 in fines and get 18 months probation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Calgary judge hands out fines, not jail to prevent notoriety for COVID-19 violators

Judge says Pawlowskis would like nothing better than to become martyrs in jail.

A message of support on the closed front door of the Whistle Stop Café during a rally against measures taken by government and health authorities to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Mirror, Alberta on Saturday May 8, 2021. Christopher Scott, owner of the Whistle Stop Café in the hamlet of Mirror, northeast of Red Deer, will pay $20,000 in fines and get 18 months probation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
A car heads to the U.S. border crossing, Monday, August 9, 2021 in Lacolle, Que., south of Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Canadians cheer, Freeland urges caution as U.S. unveils land border travel plan

Question of mixed-dose vaccinations hangs over impending border opening

A car heads to the U.S. border crossing, Monday, August 9, 2021 in Lacolle, Que., south of Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Senior in care home in Langley. (Langley Advance Times)

B.C. senior care staff now 96% vaccinated against COVID-19

Most of unvaccinated are casual, not scheduled, minister says

Senior in care home in Langley. (Langley Advance Times)
The Little Brown Myotis is threatened by white-nose syndrome, a bat disease. (Photo by B. Paterson)

Bats aren’t pests, droppings didn’t need to be disclosed to house buyers: B.C. judge

Judge says that seller believed bat issue was dealt with before selling

The Little Brown Myotis is threatened by white-nose syndrome, a bat disease. (Photo by B. Paterson)