COVID-19

Penticton Law Courts. (Black Press File)

Maskless-man guilty of assault on Okanagan store owner during COVID

The assault happened in 2021 at the height of COVID-19 safety measures

 

Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin speaks to members of the media following an acquittal in his case at a Gatineau, Que., courthouse on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022. The Military Police watchdog is launching a probe into how investigators handled a historical sexual-assault allegation against a central figure in Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Watchdog to probe how military police handled case against Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin

A Quebec court acquitted Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin last December of one count of sexual assault

 

Dr. Reka Gustafson, Chief Medical Health Officer for Vancouver Island and the former Medical Health Officer for the City of Vancouver. (Island Health photo)

PODCAST: Dr. Reka Gustafson talks COVID in a one-on-one interview

TODAY IN B.C.: Medical Officer says review of pandemic response should be global

 

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry spoke about the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 during a press conference in Victoria. (Chad Hipolito/ Canadian Press)

What seniors still need to know about COVID

Dr. Bonnie Henry provides answers to a few specific questions on behalf of Langley’s aging population

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry spoke about the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 during a press conference in Victoria. (Chad Hipolito/ Canadian Press)
The Province of B.C. announced it was relaxing COVID-19 mask regulations earlier in March. (News Bulletin file)

A COVID legacy? When doctors say we should still be masking up

WHO downgraded COVID from a global emergency

The Province of B.C. announced it was relaxing COVID-19 mask regulations earlier in March. (News Bulletin file)
B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘An important milestone’: Henry, Dix reflect on end of COVID as a global emergency

WHO downgraded COVID, marking a symbolic end to the devastating coronavirus pandemic

B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
(Pixabay file photo)

Kelowna artwork to be outfitted with new technology to capture and kill airborne viruses

The C-POLAR technology can be used in fabrics, paints, and other materials

(Pixabay file photo)
Ross Wightman was approved for compensation after falling ill due to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (Ross Wightman/Facebook)

Lake Country man files suit after complications from COVID vaccine

Wightman was one of the first Canadians approved for compensation

Ross Wightman was approved for compensation after falling ill due to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (Ross Wightman/Facebook)
A still of a video of Mark Alexander Van Heek being handcuffed by an RCMP officer on Sardis Elementary school grounds on Feb. 8, 2022. (Facebook)

Chilliwack man fined $500 for ignoring order to stay away from Sardis Elementary School

Mark Alexander Van Heek was one of several people protesting COVID measures at the school last year

A still of a video of Mark Alexander Van Heek being handcuffed by an RCMP officer on Sardis Elementary school grounds on Feb. 8, 2022. (Facebook)
Campbell River, B.C., Courthouse. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

B.C. woman who coughed at grocery store worker during anti-COVID rant guilty of assault

Incident occurred in Campbell River during early days of COVID-19 public health safety measures

Campbell River, B.C., Courthouse. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
Free Reformed Church is seen as people attend Sunday Service in Chilliwack on February 21, 2021. (Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)

Chilliwack church pastor’s Charter challenge over COVID ticket summarily dismissed

Judge rules against holding an evidentiary hearing because B.C. Supreme Court already set precedent

Free Reformed Church is seen as people attend Sunday Service in Chilliwack on February 21, 2021. (Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks at the Canada Strong and Free Network in Ottawa on Thursday, March 23, 2023. Smith says she has been contacted by the province’s ethics commissioner, who is investigating whether or not she interfered in the administration of justice. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Alberta premier says she’s under ethics investigation related to COVID-19 prosecution

‘The premier welcomes this investigation, (and) is fully co-operating’

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith speaks at the Canada Strong and Free Network in Ottawa on Thursday, March 23, 2023. Smith says she has been contacted by the province’s ethics commissioner, who is investigating whether or not she interfered in the administration of justice. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. British Columbia is introducing a policy of decriminalization on Tuesday as part of what it says is an overall plan to prevent overdose deaths from illicit drugs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. lifts proof of vaccination, masking requirements for entering health-care facilities

Public health officer Bonnie Henry said masking will still be necessary in some settings

B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. British Columbia is introducing a policy of decriminalization on Tuesday as part of what it says is an overall plan to prevent overdose deaths from illicit drugs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE - A woman walks outside of a COVID-19 testing center at the Incheon International Airport In Incheon, South Korea, on Feb. 10, 2023. Officials at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Wednesday, April 5, that wastewater surveillance will potentially provide a cheaper and more sustainable tool in the country’s pandemic response. They say it could also improve the detection of other outbreaks, such as influenza, norovirus or drug-resistant bacteria. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)

South Korea to test sewage samples for COVID-19

South Korea this month will begin weekly tests of sewage produced by…

FILE - A woman walks outside of a COVID-19 testing center at the Incheon International Airport In Incheon, South Korea, on Feb. 10, 2023. Officials at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Wednesday, April 5, that wastewater surveillance will potentially provide a cheaper and more sustainable tool in the country’s pandemic response. They say it could also improve the detection of other outbreaks, such as influenza, norovirus or drug-resistant bacteria. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)
Salvatore Vetro’s recall petition against Premier David Eby has failed after Vetro did not submit the necessary paperwork by March 20. (Photo courtesy of Salvatore Vetro)

Recall petition against Premier Eby fails

Salvatore Vetro, which launched the petition, failed to submit it by March 20 deadline

Salvatore Vetro’s recall petition against Premier David Eby has failed after Vetro did not submit the necessary paperwork by March 20. (Photo courtesy of Salvatore Vetro)
A woman hugs another returning on one of the few overseas flight arriving at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, Tuesday, March 14, 2023. China will reopen its borders to tourists and resume issuing all visas Wednesday after a three-year halt during the pandemic as it sought to boost its tourism and economy. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

China to reopen to tourists, resume all visas Wednesday

China will reopen its borders to tourists and resume issuing all visas…

A woman hugs another returning on one of the few overseas flight arriving at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, Tuesday, March 14, 2023. China will reopen its borders to tourists and resume issuing all visas Wednesday after a three-year halt during the pandemic as it sought to boost its tourism and economy. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
FILE - A man walks by Pfizer headquarters, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, in New York. Pfizer will spend about $43 billion to buy Seagen and broaden its reach into cancer treatments, the pharmaceutical giant said Monday, March 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Pfizer buys Seagen for $43B, boosts access to cancer drugs

Pfizer is spending about $43 billion to reach deeper into new cancer…

FILE - A man walks by Pfizer headquarters, Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, in New York. Pfizer will spend about $43 billion to buy Seagen and broaden its reach into cancer treatments, the pharmaceutical giant said Monday, March 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says all British Columbians can “likely” get a COVID-19 boosters in the fall as part of a campaign that might become an annual ritual like the a flu-vaccination campaign.

B.C. announces spring COVID-19 boosters to be available soon

Henry also added that a fall booster will likely be available for all British Columbians

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says all British Columbians can “likely” get a COVID-19 boosters in the fall as part of a campaign that might become an annual ritual like the a flu-vaccination campaign.
Free Reformed Church is seen as people attend Sunday Service in Chilliwack on Sunday, February 21, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

Prosecutors say Chilliwack pastor’s Charter challenge over COVID ticket should not be heard

Hearing this week in Abbotsford has Crown arguing the B.C. Supreme Court already set precedent

Free Reformed Church is seen as people attend Sunday Service in Chilliwack on Sunday, February 21, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck
Michael Pickup appears at the legislature in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. Pickup, now British Columbia’s auditor general, says the Ministry of Health should have access to a registry of residents and staff in long-term care facilities as well as heath-care workers after concluding it sometimes “struggled” to collect reliable COVID-19 vaccination information for high-risk groups. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

B.C.’s auditor general says data gaps during COVID-19 vaccine rollout posed risks

Obstacles included staff turnover and a lack of data on privately funded facilities

Michael Pickup appears at the legislature in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. Pickup, now British Columbia’s auditor general, says the Ministry of Health should have access to a registry of residents and staff in long-term care facilities as well as heath-care workers after concluding it sometimes “struggled” to collect reliable COVID-19 vaccination information for high-risk groups. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan