Health

Meal program re-tooled for Nanaimo-area students learning at home

NANAIMO - Feeding hungry students trying to learn at home instead of school is a priority for the re-launched Nanaimo Ladysmith Schools Foundation meals program.A sorting depot at John Barsby Secondar...

Apr 07, 2020 Volunteers are busy compiling much-needed hampers for the NLSF meals program destined for students learning at home due to COVID-19. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

N-95 respirators and emergency relief on the way for Canada

OTTAWA - Coveted N95 respirators will continue to come to Canada from a Minnesota-based company while the country keeps rolling out a financial assistance program Tuesday. 3M says it will maintain its...

Apr 07, 2020

Non-medical masks can keep people with COVID-19 from spreading it, Tam says

OTTAWA - Wearing a simple cloth mask is a way for someone who might have COVID-19 without realizing it to avoid spreading the illness to others, Canada's top public-health doctor said Monday.Dr. There...

Apr 06, 2020

COVID-19 cases on Vancouver Island make small jump over the weekend

NANAIMO - The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on Vancouver Island didn't jump as high as it has after coming off a weekend. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced Monday, April 6 ther...

Apr 06, 2020 Dr. Bonnie Henry discussing how B.C.'s curve of COVID-19 cases is flattening. (Gov't of B.C.)

Nanaimo's Harmac mill working around the clock to create medical supplies

NANAIMO - A Nanaimo mill is doubling its production to help create more medical supplies amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Levi Sampson, president of Harmac Pacific, said the roughly 300 workers at the mill...

Apr 06, 2020 Harmac Pacific has doubled operations of a medical-grade pulp to build more medical supplies like gowns and masks, which are desperately needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Canadian Press NewsAlert: Non-medical masks can keep people with COVID-19 from spreading it, Tam says

OTTAWA - Wearing a simple cloth mask is a way for someone who might have COVID-19 without realizing it to avoid spreading the illness to others, Canada's top public-health doctor said Monday.Dr. There...

Apr 06, 2020

Nanaimo beekeepers monitoring for any sign of invasive Asian giant hornets

NANAIMO - Local beekeepers are closely watching for the potential return of Asian giant hornets after the invasive insect first appeared in the province in Nanaimo late last summer.John Holubeshen and...

Apr 06, 2020

Early release for non-violent offenders under review, prison officials implement COVID-19 response plan

NANAIMO - Early release for certain prisoners is one of numerous changes impacting the province's prison and judicial system during the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.Risk assessments are underway to dete...

Apr 04, 2020 BC Corrections is reviewing the suitability of releasing certain non-violent prisoners early to ease inmate populations amid the COVID-19 health crisis. It's not known if any NCC inmates have or will be granted early release. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Two more cases of COVID-19 confirmed on Vancouver Island

NANAIMO - The number of COVID-19 cases on Vancouver Island has increased for the second consecutive day. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced two new cases of the virus in the Island H...

Apr 04, 2020 Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on Vancouver Island continues to rise. (CBC)

First 2 COVID-19 deaths on Vancouver Island announced

NANAIMO - The first two deaths on Vancouver Island have been recorded from the evolving COVID-19 health crisis.Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry made the announcement during her daily media b...

Alex Rawnsley Apr 02, 2020 Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the first two deaths on Vancouver Island from COVID-19. Health Minister Adrian Dix said 8 people with the virus are currently in hospital on Vancouver Island. (B.C. Government)