Health

Active COVID-19 patients within Island Health drop as B.C. reports 167 new cases

NANAIMO - After escaping largely unscathed over a record weekend across B.C., Island Health has continued to buck the COVID-19 trend.Just two new cases were confirmed for the health authority on Tuesd...

Oct 20, 2020

Overdose deaths increase in central Vancouver Island, bucking B.C. trend

NANAIMO - The number of people who fatally overdosed within the central Vancouver Island area increased in September, as much of B.C. saw the overdose crisis ease. Data released on Tuesday, Oct. 20 fr...

Oct 20, 2020

New youth outreach unit rolls out in Nanaimo

NANAIMO - The Nanaimo Aboriginal Centre is hitting Nanaimo's streets with a new youth outreach program. The program, known as Ts'its'uw'atul' in the Hul'q'umn'um' Coast Salish Language, recently rolle...

Oct 20, 2020

Island Health avoids brunt of record-breaking COVID-19 weekend across B.C.

NANAIMO - It was a record-breaking weekend across British Columbia for new COVID-19 cases, however Island Health was largely spared.Just three new cases were confirmed in the region since Friday, part...

Oct 19, 2020

Northern section of Island Health returns to no active COVID-19 cases

NANAIMO - The northern areas of Island Health are once again COVID-19 free. Data from Island Health on Friday, Oct. 16 showed there are currently no active cases north of the Bowser/Qualicum Bay regio...

Oct 16, 2020

Extra flu shots ordered to meet anticipated demand on Vancouver Island

NANAIMO - Public health clinics, pharmacists and physicians are gearing up to roll up more sleeves than usual this fall and winter.Island Health has ordered 324,000 flu shots for the region this year,...

Oct 16, 2020

Province confident in flu shot supply, two new COVID-19 cases in Island Health

NANAIMO - B.C.'s top doctor is dispelling concerns about the availability and distribution of this year's flu shot.Dr. Bonnie Henry said there would be plenty to go around this year as the province tr...

Oct 15, 2020

Rise in COVID-19 cases holding steady within Island Health and province-wide

NANAIMO - The number of COVID-19 cases in Island Health continues a steady march upwards. Two new cases were confirmed by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry on Wednesday, Oct. 14. There's been...

Oct 14, 2020

Canadians divided over mandatory COVID-19 vaccines, priority inoculations

OTTAWA - A new poll suggests Canadians are turning against the idea of the government requiring people to get a vaccine for COVID-19 when it becomes available. Only 39 per cent of respondents in the p...

Oct 14, 2020

Harris House Clinic moves from downtown Nanaimo hotspot, refocuses service

NANAIMO - The valuable Harris House Clinic in downtown Nanaimo is boarded up after the clinic moved and rebranded. It's now Health Matters! Central Vancouver Island Harm Reduction Services, located in...

Oct 14, 2020