Health

Canada funds development of COVID-19 'lab-in-a-box'

OTTAWA - Canadian researchers are developing a "lab-in-a-box" that could make it cheaper and faster to diagnose cases of the novel coronavirus, particularly in remote areas of the world.The project re...

Mar 07, 2020

Coronavirus may force government to ditch balanced-budget plan: Kenney

EDMONTON - Premier Jason Kenney says the novel cornonavirus outbreak is hammering Alberta's economy and may force his government to abandon its core election promise to balance the books by 2023....

Mar 06, 2020

'Risk still remains very low in our communities:' officials caution against Nanaimo coronavirus panic

NANAIMO - In the wake of eight more confirmed cases of COVID-19 in B.C., provincial health officials are urging caution and measured reactions to a growing global health concern.All the new cases in t...

Mar 06, 2020 The toilet paper aisle at a Nanaimo grocery store is nearly bare as panic over COVID-19 forces people into stockpiling supplies. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Coronavirus could lead to 'possible cancellations' for Nanaimo-Ladysmith school trips abroad

NANAIMO - An emerging global health crisis could impact several upcoming international trips arranged through Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools.Dale Burgos, communications director for SD 68, said whil...

Mar 04, 2020 Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools (SD 68) is examining the status of several international trips amid the spreading coronavirus. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

PM creates COVID-19 cabinet committee to deal with novel coronavirus

OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has created a new cabinet committee to deal with the novel coronavirus outbreak, which began in China but now has spread around the world. The COVID-19 cabinet c...

Mar 04, 2020

'It saved my life:' Nanaimo man preaches proactive stance to beat colon cancer

NANAIMO - While he wasn't begging to get screened for colon cancer, Nanaimo's Ray Satermo is forever thankful he followed through.The 57-year-old teacher took an at-home screening test, leading to a c...

Mar 03, 2020 Nanaimo's Ray Satermo, 57, avoided radiation, chemotherapy and likely death by getting screened for colon cancer late in 2015. A few months later he had successful surgery and has been cancer-free ever since. (Submitted photo)

Kenney says frustrating coronavirus stifling oil and gas economy

EDMONTON - Alberta's premier says it's frustrating to see his government doing everything it can to grow the economy only to watch global oil prices fall due to reduced demand tied to the no...

Mar 02, 2020

Feeling Deflated?

Hop on the front of my bike and I’ll take you for a little ride. This chat is about you and it’s important. Enjoy the ride! Do you like the video messages or the text ones better? Declare ...

yourlife Mar 01, 2020

Wounded Warriors arrive in Nanaimo to share positive message

NANAIMO - A local runner taking part in the Wounded Warrior run knows how devastating post-traumatic stress disorder can be. Paramedic Mark Blachuras took roughly a month off work around this time in ...

Feb 28, 2020 Wounded Warriors Steve Deschamps (left), Mark Blachuras (centre) and Jackie Cummings on the road leaving Nanaimo in the 2019 run. (submitted/John W. Penner)

Province spending $200,000 for one-day overdose and emergency response conference in Nanaimo

NANAIMO - Teams from all over B.C. directly responsible for tackling the ongoing overdose crisis will meet in the harbour city. Members from each of the 35 community actions teams across B.C. will att...

Feb 27, 2020 Members of the 35 community action teams across B.C. will meet in Nanaimo to share their experiences. (File photo/The Canadian Press)