Health

Health Canada approves Spartan Bioscience's portable COVID-19 test

Health Canada has approved the use of a portable, rapid-testing device for COVID-19. The Spartan Cube from Ottawa's Spartan Bioscience is expected to help provide rapid tests for health services&...

Apr 13, 2020

No new COVID-19 cases on Vancouver Island, province reinforces stay home measures

NANAIMO - The Island Health region continues to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced no new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, April 11. It keep...

Alex Rawnsley Apr 11, 2020 Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, delivers her daily briefing on COVID-19 cases with health minister Adrian Dix standing by in Victoria. (BC Government Flickr)

Nanaimo's Salvation Army brings meal program outdoors

NANAIMO - Stomachs don't have to go empty during the COVID-19 crisis.Salvation Army Nanaimo recently put their emergency vehicle outfront the New Hope Centre in downtown Nanaimo to continue their meal...

Apr 10, 2020 The Salvation Army has called in their emergency response truck to serve meals. (submitted/Salvation Army)

COVID-19 cases rises slightly on Vancouver Island, while number of deaths in B.C. hits 50

NANAIMO - One new case of COVID-19 was confirmed on Vancouver Island for a total of 82 as the rate of the virus's growth province-wide continues to slow.Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry repo...

Apr 09, 2020 Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reported two new deaths for a total of 50 due to COVID-19 during her daily update on Thursday, April 9. (B.C. Government)

Alberta doctors file lawsuit against province after changes to billing

EDMONTON - The Alberta Medical Association has filed a lawsuit against the province after the United Conservative government went ahead with changes to how doctors can bill for their services.The asso...

Apr 09, 2020

Lawyers, advocate call for inmate release before COVID-19 spreads

The number COVID-19 cases in prisons is rising, prompting Canada's criminal lawyers and an inmate advocacy group to call on the federal and provincial governments to reduce the number of peo...

Apr 09, 2020

Controls can keep Canadian COVID-19 deaths under 22,000, health agency says

OTTAWA - With strong control measures, the federal public health agency projects that 11,000 to 22,000 Canadians could die of COVID-19 in the coming months.The Public Health Agency of Canada says shor...

Apr 09, 2020

Use of free shower program soars during COVID-19 pandemic

NANAIMO - The lineup outside a shower facility in a Nanaimo park is growing by the day. The program, run by the Unitarian Shelter at Caledonia Park and funded by the City of Nanaimo, is the only way f...

Apr 09, 2020 The number of people lining up each day from Monday to Friday for a free shower is growing rapidly. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Controls can keep Canadian COVID-19 deaths under 22,000, health agency says

OTTAWA - With strong control measures, the federal public health agency projects that 11,000 to 22,000 Canadians could die of COVID-19 in the coming months.The Public Health Agency of Canada says shor...

Apr 09, 2020

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 grow slightly on Vancouver Island, hospitalizations decrease

NANAIMO - The province has reported two additional cases of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island. Dr. Bonnie Henry confirmed the additional positive test results in the Island Health region on Wednesday, Apri...

Alex Rawnsley Apr 08, 2020 Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks from the press theatre in the Parliament Building in Victoria, delivering her daily COVID-19 update. (BC Government Flickr)