Health

Nanaimo fentanyl and heroin trafficker faces federal prison sentence

NANAIMO - Police keeping watch on a downtown apartment unit culminated in a sizable drug bust with a street value of about $6,000.A joint sentencing recommendation of two years in a federal penitentia...

Jan 26, 2021

Island care homes complete first COVID-19 vaccinations, province adjusts immunization plan

NANAIMO - Staff and residents in long-term care or assisted living facilities within Island Health are now better protected against COVID-19.Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry confirmed on Mon...

Jan 25, 2021

New social media campaign targets COVID-19 misinformation with science

EDMONTON - A group of Canadian scientists and health experts is starting a campaign to debunk misinformation about COVID-19.The scientists involved are using the hashtag #ScienceUpFirst to provide inf...

Jan 25, 2021

The end of hugs: How COVID-19 has changed daily life a year after Canada's first case

MONTREAL - On January 25, 2020, Canadians were still living their lives like they always had: commuting to the office, visiting friends, dining out, hugging loved ones, vacationing. But the announceme...

Jan 25, 2021

COVID-19 outbreak declared in east wing of Nanaimo Regional General Hospital

NANAIMO - Island Health has confirmed a COVID-19 outbreak at NRGH.A statement from the health authority late Saturday, Jan. 23 said two staff and one patient in a ward on the fourth floor of the east ...

Jan 23, 2021

Island Health ends week on subdued note, 14 new COVID-19 cases

NANAIMO - Island Health ended the week with relatively lower counts of new COVID-19 cases. Island Health announced 14 new cases on Friday, Jan. 22. This was the lowest announced by Island Health throu...

Jan 22, 2021

Goal posts set for Island Health's COVID-19 vaccination program

NANAIMO - The steps necessary to provide 8.6 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine in B.C. are more clear.The province unveiled the next steps in its ongoing vaccine roll out plan on Friday, Jan. 22. Th...

Jan 22, 2021

Nanaimo paramedics respond to record number of overdose calls in 2020

NANAIMO - Local paramedics handled a record number of overdose calls in 2020, even higher than when the overdose crisis was at its peak.New information from BC Emergency Health Services showed there w...

Jan 22, 2021

SFN rescinds shelter-in-place order, most members receive first COVID shots

NANAIMO - The shelter-in-place order has been lifted within Snuneymuxw First Nation as the number of active cases dwindles.SFN chief Mike Wyse said the decision was made the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 1...

Jan 20, 2021

Smokers urged to put the pack down during national awareness campaign

NANAIMO - The highlight of National Non-Smoking Week encourages everyone to put down their cigarette, joint or vape for 24 hours. "It could be the start of something wonderful," Dr. Derek Poteryko, me...

Jan 20, 2021