Coronavirus

Doses of the anti-viral drug Paxlovid are displayed in New York, on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022. B.C. is now covering the COVID-19 medication through its PharmaCare Plan Z as the federal government is no longering covering the medication. (AP Photo / Stephanie Nano)

B.C. to provide Paxlovid after feds drop covering COVID medication coverage

Paxlovid treats mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults

 

People walk past a vaccine clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic in Mississauga, Ont., on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. The federal government announced $574 million in funding on Monday for 19 projects across the country to help prepare for the next pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Scientists, clinicians across Canada preparing for future pandemic threats

‘We should think of this like a protective shield that’s helping detect things early’

 

A person draws out Moderna vaccine during a drive through COVID-19 vaccine clinic in Kingston, Ont., on Sunday Jan. 2, 2022. British Columbia is rolling out another round of COVID-19 vaccination boosters, with invitations starting to go out Monday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg

COVID-19 spring booster program begins rolling out in B.C.

Campaign is targeting the vulnerable and unvaccinated but shots will be available to all

 

A general view of the children’s COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday, December 12, 2021.A new non-profit group called the Canadian Covid Society launched Wednesday. The founders are two ER doctors, an engineer, a physicist and a governance expert. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Group launches to keep COVID on Canada’s national radar

Long-term effects, illness prevention group’s initial focus

A general view of the children’s COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Sunday, December 12, 2021.A new non-profit group called the Canadian Covid Society launched Wednesday. The founders are two ER doctors, an engineer, a physicist and a governance expert. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Stock photo of someone wearing a mask (Adobe stock)

COVID-19 protection makers launch $5B lawsuit alleging feds misled them

Canadian Association of PPE Manufacturers says misleading statements led to bad investments

Stock photo of someone wearing a mask (Adobe stock)
Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization says some groups of people vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19 may get another dose of vaccine in the spring. A pharmacist prepares to administer a COVID-19 vaccine at a CVS, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Cypress, Texas. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Melissa Phillip-Houston Chronicle via AP Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization says some groups of people vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19 may get another dose of vaccine in the spring. A pharmacist prepares to administer a COVID-19 vaccine at a CVS, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Cypress, Texas. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Melissa Phillip-Houston Chronicle via AP

Spring COVID-19 vaccines for older, immunocompromised people: NACI

Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization issues spring recommendation now

Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization says some groups of people vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19 may get another dose of vaccine in the spring. A pharmacist prepares to administer a COVID-19 vaccine at a CVS, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Cypress, Texas. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Melissa Phillip-Houston Chronicle via AP Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization says some groups of people vulnerable to severe illness from COVID-19 may get another dose of vaccine in the spring. A pharmacist prepares to administer a COVID-19 vaccine at a CVS, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Cypress, Texas. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Melissa Phillip-Houston Chronicle via AP
Sonja Mally misses her old life after being debilitated by long COVID for almost four years. Mally poses for a portrait in Toronto, Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Hope and understanding slowly creep into Canada’s long COVID battle

Researchers still have a lot of work to do, but say progress slowly being made

Sonja Mally misses her old life after being debilitated by long COVID for almost four years. Mally poses for a portrait in Toronto, Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Statistics Canada says about one in nine Canadian adults have had long-term symptoms from COVID-19 infection.Health-care workers prepare to test a person at a COVID-19 assessment centre in Toronto May 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Long haul COVID afflicting 3.5 million Canadians: Statistics Canada

Symptoms defined as long-term if they persist for three months or longer

Statistics Canada says about one in nine Canadian adults have had long-term symptoms from COVID-19 infection.Health-care workers prepare to test a person at a COVID-19 assessment centre in Toronto May 19, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
New data suggest that COVID-19 activity in British Columbia continues to decrease, while influenza and RSV are on the rise. This colourized electron microscope image made available by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in November 2022, shows cells, indicated in purple, infected with the omicron strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, orange, isolated from a patient sample, captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Md. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-HO, NIAID/NIH

COVID down, influenza up across B.C., latest CDC numbers show

25 deaths of patients with COVID last week, down from 70 three weeks ago

New data suggest that COVID-19 activity in British Columbia continues to decrease, while influenza and RSV are on the rise. This colourized electron microscope image made available by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in November 2022, shows cells, indicated in purple, infected with the omicron strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, orange, isolated from a patient sample, captured at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Md. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-HO, NIAID/NIH
Positive, left, and negative COVID-19 antigen rapid tests are picture in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. New data suggest a recent surge in COVID-19 activity in British Columbia appears to be on the wane, with hospital admissions, deaths and test positivity all down sharply. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

B.C. COVID spike reverses, cases, hospitalizations, deaths all retreat

36 deaths among people with COVID-19 last week, down from a peak of 70 two weeks earlier

Positive, left, and negative COVID-19 antigen rapid tests are picture in Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. New data suggest a recent surge in COVID-19 activity in British Columbia appears to be on the wane, with hospital admissions, deaths and test positivity all down sharply. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
The protection offered by COVID-19 vaccines wanes over time. Metro creative stock

Most British Columbians overdue for their COVID shot

Province says you can get a shot every 6 months, only about 10 percent received spring booster

  • Nov 6, 2023
The protection offered by COVID-19 vaccines wanes over time. Metro creative stock
The risk of dying from a toxic-drug overdose increased by up to 50 per cent coinciding with the start of the pandemic for people who had been released from Ontario jails, and some who were still incarcerated, a study says. Prison cells are shown under construction in a new jail and detention centre in Zurich, Switzerland on June 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Gaetan Bally/Keystone via AP

Former Ontario inmates saw higher risk of overdose death as COVID-19 emerged: study

The most substantial impact was on individuals between the ages of 25 and 49

The risk of dying from a toxic-drug overdose increased by up to 50 per cent coinciding with the start of the pandemic for people who had been released from Ontario jails, and some who were still incarcerated, a study says. Prison cells are shown under construction in a new jail and detention centre in Zurich, Switzerland on June 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Gaetan Bally/Keystone via AP
People line up at a COVID-19 testing clinic Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021 in Montreal. COVID-19 vaccine passports in Quebec and Ontario did little to convince the unvaccinated to get the jab and did not significantly reduce inequalities in vaccination coverage, a new peer-reviewed study has found. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Passports ineffective in encouraging COVID vaccinations: study

Report says passport system increased vaccinations less than a percentage point in Ontario, Quebec

People line up at a COVID-19 testing clinic Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021 in Montreal. COVID-19 vaccine passports in Quebec and Ontario did little to convince the unvaccinated to get the jab and did not significantly reduce inequalities in vaccination coverage, a new peer-reviewed study has found. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Canada’s premiers have sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking the federal government to extend the Jan. 18, 2024 repayment period for one more year for interest-free loans to small businesses and not-for-profits. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Eby joins other premiers in plea for small business COVID loan extension

CEBA program slated to come due in January, provinces want another year

Canada’s premiers have sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking the federal government to extend the Jan. 18, 2024 repayment period for one more year for interest-free loans to small businesses and not-for-profits. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
British Columbia has launched its immunization campaign for this year’s respiratory illness season, with influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations now available in pharmacies across the province. Fraser Health registered nurse Kai Kayibadi draws a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe at a walk-up vaccination clinic at Bear Creek Park, in Surrey, B.C., on Monday, May 17, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vaccines arrive as B.C. launches COVID, flu immunization campaign

Drugstore chain anticipating an increase in demand for vaccines

British Columbia has launched its immunization campaign for this year’s respiratory illness season, with influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations now available in pharmacies across the province. Fraser Health registered nurse Kai Kayibadi draws a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe at a walk-up vaccination clinic at Bear Creek Park, in Surrey, B.C., on Monday, May 17, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Novavax COVID-19 vaccine’s incubate in flasks at the company research laboratory in Gaithersburg, Md., on May 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Angie Wang

Novavax hopeful to meet Canadian deadline for non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine

The new formulation is awaiting Health Canada approval

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine’s incubate in flasks at the company research laboratory in Gaithersburg, Md., on May 24, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Angie Wang
Wastewater testing can find what COVID-19 variants are present in the community. COVID-19 cases are on the rise in British Columbia, with the BC Centre for Disease Control reporting hospitalizations have increased 58 per cent in the past two weeks. (Pixabay).

B.C. COVID-19 hospitalizations up 58% in 2 weeks

COVID-19 levels detected in wastewater are up at every monitored treatment plant in the province

Wastewater testing can find what COVID-19 variants are present in the community. COVID-19 cases are on the rise in British Columbia, with the BC Centre for Disease Control reporting hospitalizations have increased 58 per cent in the past two weeks. (Pixabay).
Health Canada has authorized the use of an updated Moderna vaccine for COVID-19 for all Canadians over the age of six months. Empty Moderna vaccine vials are shown before a COVID-19 vaccine drive-thru clinic at Richardson stadium in Kingston, Ont., on Friday, Jul. 2, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg

Fall COVID shots urged as Health Canada approves new Moderna vaccine

Dr. Theresa Tam says it is time for people to top-up their resistance to the virus.

Health Canada has authorized the use of an updated Moderna vaccine for COVID-19 for all Canadians over the age of six months. Empty Moderna vaccine vials are shown before a COVID-19 vaccine drive-thru clinic at Richardson stadium in Kingston, Ont., on Friday, Jul. 2, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lars Hagberg
COVID-19 virus (Black Press file photo).

COVID climbing in B.C. but no more new variant cases detected

Cases, test positivity, hospitalizations and deaths all up in recent weeks

COVID-19 virus (Black Press file photo).
A Fraser Health registered nurse draws a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe at a walk-up vaccination clinic at Bear Creek Park, in Surrey, B.C., on Monday, May 17, 2021. The detection in British Columbia of the country’s first known case of the latest COVID-19 variant should have Canadians ready to roll up their sleeves for newly formulated vaccines to protect against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as influenza and RSV in some cases, an immunologist says.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadian scientists monitoring how vaccines will work against latest COVID variant

B.C.’s Health Ministry confirmed the first case of the new variant was detected in the province

A Fraser Health registered nurse draws a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe at a walk-up vaccination clinic at Bear Creek Park, in Surrey, B.C., on Monday, May 17, 2021. The detection in British Columbia of the country’s first known case of the latest COVID-19 variant should have Canadians ready to roll up their sleeves for newly formulated vaccines to protect against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as influenza and RSV in some cases, an immunologist says.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck