Health

Drug toxicity call volumes continue testing local emergency responders

NANAIMO - Reviving people falling victim to Nanaimo's ongoing drug toxicity crisis is having an increased impact on emergency responders. Updated Nanaimo Fire Rescue (NFR) data stated their crews resp...

Nov 23, 2021

COVID-19 outbreaks declared over at NRGH, Chartwell Malaspina care home

NANAIMO - COVID-19 outbreaks are no longer impacting a pair of Nanaimo healthcare facilities. Island Health reported Monday, Nov. 22 outbreaks at the Transitional Care Unit of NRGH and Chartwell Malas...

Nov 22, 2021

24-bed cold weather shelter set to open in Nanaimo

NANAIMO - A place designed to provide shelter from the harsh winter months is opening again for another year.The Nanaimo Family Life Association, in partnership with the Nanaimo Region John Howard Soc...

Nov 18, 2021

COVID outbreak doubles at NRGH, additional case detected at Nanaimo care home

NANAIMO - Several more people have tested positive for COVID-19 as part of an ever-growing outbreak at Nanaimo Hospital. Island Health revealed eight new cases in the hospital's Transitional Care Unit...

Alex Rawnsley Nov 09, 2021

New advocacy group for vulnerable Nanaimo area women gains early traction

NANAIMO - A local woman decided to harness online chatter about a popular Netflix series into tangible positive change.Kerri Isham, a Nanaimo based sexual health educator, was moved by the series MAID...

Nov 07, 2021

Pilot seriously injured in helicopter crash near Nanoose Bay

NANOOSE BAY - One person was airlifted to hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries following a helicopter crash near Nanoose Bay. BC Emergency Health Services dispatched paramedics a fo...

Alex Rawnsley Nov 04, 2021

Planning underway for promised cancer centre in Nanaimo

NANAIMO - While details are thin on what services will be provided, conceptual work is happening to establish a new cancer facility in Nanaimo.The project is part of a John Horgan re-election promise ...

Nov 02, 2021

Province lobbies to decriminalize small amounts of illicit drugs

NANAIMO - Amid no sign the drug toxicity crisis is improving in B.C., the province wants criminal penalities wiped out for people possessing small amounts of illicit drugs.Mental health and addictions...

Nov 01, 2021

Number of unvaxxed Island healthcare workers drops as NRGH surgery capacity reduced

NANAIMO - Around 200 previously unvaccinated healthcare workers within Island Health have rolled up their sleeves.The province reported, as of Monday, Nov. 1, 480 workers (approximately two per cent) ...

Nov 01, 2021

COVID-19's global death toll tops 5 million in under 2 years

The global death toll from COVID-19 topped 5 million on Monday, less than two years into a crisis that has not only devastated poor countries but also humbled wealthy ones with first-rate health care ...

Nov 01, 2021