BC Health

Local COVID-19 cases for the week of Dec. 19 to 25. (BC CDC)

South Okanagan Similkameen records 42 new COVID-19 cases as 2022 approaches

Penticton sees steady increase in case numbers since the beginning of December

 

(Photo: Metro creative stock)

Vaccination rates among children vary across Interior Health region

The province authorized the Pfizer vaccine for children aged five to 11 earlier this month

 

Newly trained perfusionist Kris Hromadnik working during a coronary arterial bypass case. (Supplied by Roger Stanzel)

Canada bleeding heart-and-lung surgery technicians to better-paying U.S.

Demand for perfusionists skyrockets during pandemic, with shortages in hospitals across the country

 

The B.C. government has reported 405 new cases of COVID-19 in its Dec. 3 update. Pictured here, a traveller exiting the COVID-19 testing centre for arriving international passengers at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Dec. 2. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

B.C. reports 405 new cases of COVID-19

Six new deaths from COVID-19, says ministry

The B.C. government has reported 405 new cases of COVID-19 in its Dec. 3 update. Pictured here, a traveller exiting the COVID-19 testing centre for arriving international passengers at Vancouver International Airport, in Richmond, B.C., on Dec. 2. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Venues in Penticton are back to hosting 100 per cent of their capacity, including the SOEC, Cleland Theatre and Penticton's Trade and Covention Centre. (Monique Tamminga, Western News)

‘The news we’ve been waiting for’: Capacity restrictions lifted at venues across Penticton

Upcoming Vees games, concerts and events have changed to full-capacity set-ups

Venues in Penticton are back to hosting 100 per cent of their capacity, including the SOEC, Cleland Theatre and Penticton's Trade and Covention Centre. (Monique Tamminga, Western News)
Kane Peterson, 9, gets his COVID vaccination at North Sound Pediatrics in Mill Creek, WA on Nov. 6, 2021. A vaccination clinic for children aged 5 to 11 is planned for the Ashcroft HUB on Nov. 30. (Photo credit: Kevin Clark/The Herald)

Children in Interior Health are eligible for vaccines

Children age five to eleven are eligible for COVID-19 vaccine registration

Kane Peterson, 9, gets his COVID vaccination at North Sound Pediatrics in Mill Creek, WA on Nov. 6, 2021. A vaccination clinic for children aged 5 to 11 is planned for the Ashcroft HUB on Nov. 30. (Photo credit: Kevin Clark/The Herald)
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)
(Photo: Metro Creative Stock)

Interior Health issues drug supply advisory for the Okanagan region

Very high doses of fetanyl and benzos have been found in drug supplies

(Photo: Metro Creative Stock)
File photo of Prospera Place in Kelowna. (Marissa Baecker/Shoot the Breeze)

UPDATE: Interior Health COVID-19 restrictions under consideration

Health Minister Adrian Dix responds to Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick’s concerns

File photo of Prospera Place in Kelowna. (Marissa Baecker/Shoot the Breeze)
Sporting and other indoor events in the Interior Health region are limited to half capacity, while elsewhere in B.C. this COVID-19 safety measure has been lifted. (Photo: Pixabay)

Interior Health remains mum on capacity restrictions

Many businesses in the region are demanding answers from the health authority

Sporting and other indoor events in the Interior Health region are limited to half capacity, while elsewhere in B.C. this COVID-19 safety measure has been lifted. (Photo: Pixabay)
Researchers analyzed more than 1,200 Reddit posts to gather data. (Pexels photo)

Young people are quitting vaping due to health impacts: UBC Okanagan study

The study aims to inform resources that are created for those who want to quit e-cigarettes

Researchers analyzed more than 1,200 Reddit posts to gather data. (Pexels photo)
A woman receives a nasal swab test at a pop-up COVID-19 assessment centre. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette A woman receives a nasal swab test at a pop-up COVID-19 assessment centre at the Angela James Arena, in Toronto, Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Auditor General Karen Horgan assesses Canada’s efforts to procure medical equipment in the midst of a global pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

COVID-related medical cost coverage extended for B.C. residents without MSP

New residents must undergo a three-month wait period before becoming eligible for MSP

A woman receives a nasal swab test at a pop-up COVID-19 assessment centre. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette A woman receives a nasal swab test at a pop-up COVID-19 assessment centre at the Angela James Arena, in Toronto, Wednesday, May 19, 2021. Auditor General Karen Horgan assesses Canada’s efforts to procure medical equipment in the midst of a global pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Summerland will soon have six additional full-time paramedics at its ambulance station. (Black Press file photo)

Paramedics added to Summerland ambulance station

Community will have total of eight full-time paramedics for increased service

Summerland will soon have six additional full-time paramedics at its ambulance station. (Black Press file photo)
Harry Charles (Chuck) Blakey, 72, died in his Parksville home while his family waited on hold after calling 911 for an ambulance dispatch. (Barbara Blakey photo)

B.C. man, 72, dies in home while family waits on hold with 911 dispatch

Daughter blames ‘governmental system that has allowed this to happen’

Harry Charles (Chuck) Blakey, 72, died in his Parksville home while his family waited on hold after calling 911 for an ambulance dispatch. (Barbara Blakey photo)
The province is embarking on what it calls “the largest hiring push in B.C.’s history” for paramedics in rural and remote locations. (File - Black Press Media)

Hundreds of new B.C. paramedic positions announced as 24 stations go to full-time staffing

Health minister Adrian Dix says funding will better support health care workers

The province is embarking on what it calls “the largest hiring push in B.C.’s history” for paramedics in rural and remote locations. (File - Black Press Media)
Serendipity Winery in Naramata wanted to do something to thank the doctors and nurses working tirelessly through this long pandemic so they are offering a glass of wine on the patio. (Serendipity Winery)

Naramata winery offers complimentary glass of wine for B.C. hospital workers

Wine on the patio is the least we can do to show our gratitude, says Serendipity Winery

Serendipity Winery in Naramata wanted to do something to thank the doctors and nurses working tirelessly through this long pandemic so they are offering a glass of wine on the patio. (Serendipity Winery)
Data: BC Coroners Service

Kelowna overdose deaths 4th-highest in B.C. over the last decade

Across the province, illicit drug toxicity death rates remain high for all health authorities

Data: BC Coroners Service
COVID-19 virus (file photo).

Three more long-term care facilities in Kelowna declare COVID-19 outbreaks

Five elderly care facilities in Kelowna are currently experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks

COVID-19 virus (file photo).
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is joined by Minister of Health Adrian Dix at the Victoria Conference Centre on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Conspiracy theorists take over Interior Health COVID-19 town hall

Dr. Bonnie Henry and Adrian Dix fielded several questions about debunked vaccine conspiracies

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is joined by Minister of Health Adrian Dix at the Victoria Conference Centre on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Workers with St. John Ambulance set up medial beds and other equipment for a deployment centre at Summerland Seniors Village. The temporary is one of two facilities in the region to provide assistance during a wildfire evacuation. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

Medical deployment centre set up in Summerland to help with wildfire evacuations

40-bed centre in place in case of wildfire evacuations

Workers with St. John Ambulance set up medial beds and other equipment for a deployment centre at Summerland Seniors Village. The temporary is one of two facilities in the region to provide assistance during a wildfire evacuation. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)