Coronavirus

FILE – A COVID-19 rapid testing area is seen on the international arrivals level at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, July 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Non-U.S. air travellers must take COVID test, isolate as feds try to slow Omicron spread

Nigeria, Malawi and Egypt have been added to the travel ban list

FILE – A COVID-19 rapid testing area is seen on the international arrivals level at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, July 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry update the COVID-19 situation, B.C. legislature, July 20, 2020. (B.C. government)

B.C. reports first case of COVID-19 Omicron variant, in isolation

204 recent travellers to Africa being tested in B.C.

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry update the COVID-19 situation, B.C. legislature, July 20, 2020. (B.C. government)
Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos responds to a question during a news conference by video conference, in Ottawa, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. Duclos says Canada supports the development of a new global convention on pandemic preparedness and response that will be debated at a special meeting of the World Health Assembly Monday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

G7 health ministers closely monitoring new Omicron variant of COVID-19

Omicron’s appearance prompted border closures, screening measures in Canada and around the world

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos responds to a question during a news conference by video conference, in Ottawa, Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. Duclos says Canada supports the development of a new global convention on pandemic preparedness and response that will be debated at a special meeting of the World Health Assembly Monday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
(FIle)

97% of B.C. public service employees fully vaccinated against COVID following mandate

1.13% of staff remain completely unvaccinated or refused to provide immunization status

(FIle)
FILE – A worker picks up a COVID-19 self collection test kit which are given to arriving international passengers at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, July 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

No Omicron-specific restrictions planned as B.C. tests 200+ travellers from affected regions

COVID variant has sparked concerns over its transmissibility, vaccine resistance

FILE – A worker picks up a COVID-19 self collection test kit which are given to arriving international passengers at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, July 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Healthcare workers wait for airline passengers at a COVID-19 testing center at Trudeau Airport in Montreal, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. Unvaccinated travellers over the age of 12 won’t be able to board a plane or train in Canada as of today, now that the grace period has ended on the government’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Unvaccinated travellers barred from planes and passenger trains as of today

Unvaccinated travellers over the age of 12 won’t be able to board…

Healthcare workers wait for airline passengers at a COVID-19 testing center at Trudeau Airport in Montreal, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. Unvaccinated travellers over the age of 12 won’t be able to board a plane or train in Canada as of today, now that the grace period has ended on the government’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and B.C. Labour Minister Harry Bains speak on the introduction of five-day mandatory paid sick leave at the B.C. legislature, Nov. 22, 2021. (B.C. government photo)

B.C.’s daily COVID-19 infections fall below 300, but 11 deaths

Outbreaks in health care down to 6, 303 people in hospital

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and B.C. Labour Minister Harry Bains speak on the introduction of five-day mandatory paid sick leave at the B.C. legislature, Nov. 22, 2021. (B.C. government photo)
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

COVID-19 virus (file photo).
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

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)
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

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
Each school district decides whether to require COVID-19 vaccinations for staff. (Black Press Media file)

LETTER: Grandparent can’t believe Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows teachers don’t have to be vaccinated

Smokers can’t go near kids in school but unvaccinated can, letter writer noted

  • Nov 28, 2021
Each school district decides whether to require COVID-19 vaccinations for staff. (Black Press Media file)
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)