COVID-19

B.C. gym forced to close due to B.C. COVID mandate calls for essential service status

Gyms, fitness centres and bars were recently ordered to close under new Omicron-related measures

Kelowna Courthouse. (Phil McLachlan-Capital News/FILE)

Prominent Kelowna anti-lockdown protester faces assault charges

David Lindsay faces two counts of assault related to an incident on August 19

Kelowna Courthouse. (Phil McLachlan-Capital News/FILE)
The BC School COVID Tracker website and Facebook page have nearly 60,000 followers, and has become a ‘go-to’ source for the latest information on COVID exposures within the BC School system. (Aman Parhar/Omineca Express)

B.C. COVID school tracker website continues to grow

Website authenticates all information before adding to database

The BC School COVID Tracker website and Facebook page have nearly 60,000 followers, and has become a ‘go-to’ source for the latest information on COVID exposures within the BC School system. (Aman Parhar/Omineca Express)
This map illustrates the number of active COVID-19 cases in Greater Vancouver from Dec. 12 to 18, 2021. (BC Centre for Disease Control image)

COVID-19 cases in Delta climb again as numbers double across region

Delta had 82 cases for the week of Dec. 12 to 18, 25 more than the week before

This map illustrates the number of active COVID-19 cases in Greater Vancouver from Dec. 12 to 18, 2021. (BC Centre for Disease Control image)
Drag performer Myria Le Noir, aka Donald Crowe, will be featured during a Surrey Pride-hosted event on New Year’s Eve, at Central City Taphouse & Kitchen. (File photo: Amy Reid)

Some New Year’s Eve events still a go in Surrey as pubs adapt to B.C.’s new COVID-19 rules

** This story was updated at 9 a.m. Dec. 23 Surrey-area nightspots…

Drag performer Myria Le Noir, aka Donald Crowe, will be featured during a Surrey Pride-hosted event on New Year’s Eve, at Central City Taphouse & Kitchen. (File photo: Amy Reid)
The lineup for Surrey’s only daily testing and vaccination centre, located at 14577 66 Avenue, was stretched for blocks Tuesday. (Lauren Collins photo)

As demand spikes, COVID-19 testing by appointment only in Surrey during holidays

At 66 Avenue site, immunizations will be paused Dec. 25, 26 and Jan. 1 to general public

The lineup for Surrey’s only daily testing and vaccination centre, located at 14577 66 Avenue, was stretched for blocks Tuesday. (Lauren Collins photo)
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, here receiving a seasonal flu vaccination, says the high vaccination rate at UVic is helping prevent serious illness despite a spike in COVID-19 cases associated with the school. (Courtesy Province of B.C.)

High vaccination rate helped mitigate B.C. university COVID-19 spike: Dr. Henry

Case uptick hasn’t translated into severe illness in University of Victoria community, Henry says

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, here receiving a seasonal flu vaccination, says the high vaccination rate at UVic is helping prevent serious illness despite a spike in COVID-19 cases associated with the school. (Courtesy Province of B.C.)
Small businesses in B.C. such as along Bernard Avenue in Kelowna's downtown core will continue to face challenging fiscal times in 2022. (File photo)

Grim 2022 outlook for B.C.’s small business sector

Business sector report calls for more government fiscal help

Small businesses in B.C. such as along Bernard Avenue in Kelowna's downtown core will continue to face challenging fiscal times in 2022. (File photo)
A house on the corner of Queensway Dr. and Mark Ave. south of Terrace on Dec. 17, 2021. Dr. Raina Fumerton, Northern Health chief medical officer for the northwest, said that anti-government attitudes could be a factor in stalling COVID-19 vaccination rates in the health authority. (Ben Bogstie/Terrace Standard)

COVID vaccination rates stall out in northern B.C.

Hesitancy, mistrust are among factors at play

A house on the corner of Queensway Dr. and Mark Ave. south of Terrace on Dec. 17, 2021. Dr. Raina Fumerton, Northern Health chief medical officer for the northwest, said that anti-government attitudes could be a factor in stalling COVID-19 vaccination rates in the health authority. (Ben Bogstie/Terrace Standard)
This map illustrates the number of active COVID-19 cases in Greater Vancouver from Dec. 5 to 11, 2021. (BC Centre for Disease Control image)

COVID-19 cases in Delta climb for second straight week

Delta had 57 cases for the week of Dec. 5 to 11, 20 more than the week before

This map illustrates the number of active COVID-19 cases in Greater Vancouver from Dec. 5 to 11, 2021. (BC Centre for Disease Control image)
The faces of Premier John Horgan and Health Minister Adrian Dix were attached to effigies hung during a vaccine protest event at the B.C. legislature on Dec. 9. (Photo courtesy of Facebook/Anne O’Neil)

‘Unacceptable:’ B.C. attorney general responds after premier, ministers hung in effigy

Actions came at Dec. 9 at vaccine protest rally, VicPD gathering information

The faces of Premier John Horgan and Health Minister Adrian Dix were attached to effigies hung during a vaccine protest event at the B.C. legislature on Dec. 9. (Photo courtesy of Facebook/Anne O’Neil)
This map illustrates the number of active COVID-19 cases in Greater Vancouver from Nov. 28 to Dec. 4, 2021. (BC Centre for Disease Control image)

COVID-19 cases in Delta more than doubled last week

Delta had 37 cases for the week of Nov. 28 to Dec. 4, 23 more than the week before

This map illustrates the number of active COVID-19 cases in Greater Vancouver from Nov. 28 to Dec. 4, 2021. (BC Centre for Disease Control image)
A fundraising campaign to add lights to Peace Arch Park is underway. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson )

Fundraising underway to add seasonal glow to Peace Arch Park

‘Truly amazing and a beautiful sight for all’

A fundraising campaign to add lights to Peace Arch Park is underway. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson )
DriveBC highway camera indicates that there was not a line at the Peace Arch crossing on Dec. 5 at 10:45 a.m. (DriveBC.ca photo)

Province considering options for Peace Arch Park

Canadian side of the park has been closed throughout the pandemic

DriveBC highway camera indicates that there was not a line at the Peace Arch crossing on Dec. 5 at 10:45 a.m. (DriveBC.ca photo)
(Photo: Metro creative stock)

B.C. chiropractor pens motion to regulator to ‘take a stand’ against vaccine mandates

Mark Foullong urged the College of Chiropractors of British Columbia to maintain “medical freedom of choice”

(Photo: Metro creative stock)
This map illustrates the number of active COVID-19 cases in Greater Vancouver from Nov. 21 to 27, 2021. (BC Centre for Disease Control image)

COVID-19 cases in Delta down after holding steady for three weeks

Delta had 14 cases for the week of Nov. 21 to 27; 171 fewer cases across the Fraser Health region

This map illustrates the number of active COVID-19 cases in Greater Vancouver from Nov. 21 to 27, 2021. (BC Centre for Disease Control image)
People entering Canada need the ArriveCAN app. (Black Press Media File)

CBSA reminds B.C. residents that ArriveCAN app still a requirement

Regardless of how long or short the trip is, ArriveCAN app is still mandatory

People entering Canada need the ArriveCAN app. (Black Press Media File)
Dr. Bonnie Henry. (B.C. government photo)

Masks must be worn at in-person worship services in B.C., Dr. Henry says

Choirs are included in the the face mask order

Dr. Bonnie Henry. (B.C. government photo)
Very few people, if any, lined up at the Peace Arch border to enter the U.S. Tuesday. (B.C. Highway camera)

No wait at Peace Arch border as PCR test requirement removed for short trips

As of Nov. 30, fully vaccinated Canadians can enter U.S. for less than 72 hours without PCR test

Very few people, if any, lined up at the Peace Arch border to enter the U.S. Tuesday. (B.C. Highway camera)
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)