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Tag: British Columbia

Topic: measlesView all posts for the topic: measles

Four provinces confirm measles cases, including rare case in fully vaccinated man

Published March 5, 2024

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Published by: CTV News / The Canadian Press
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By Camille Bains, Nicole Ireland

Seventeen cases of measles have been confirmed in Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and British Columbia — more than half of those in the Montreal area, while one Ontario case has been linked to a high school.

Quebec public health director Dr. Luc Boileau confirmed 10 cases on Monday, almost all of them involving children and making Montreal the country’s epicentre. He said only three of the cases were linked to travel outside of the country, indicating community spread in and around the city.

Public Health Ontario confirmed five cases of measles and said all but one involved travel.

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Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia

1st case of measles reported in B.C. over the weekend: Health Ministry

Published March 4, 2024

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Published by: CTV News
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By Alyse Kotyk

One case of measles was reported in B.C. over the weekend, the provincial Ministry of Health confirmed in a statement Monday morning.

This weekend’s confirmed case is the first the province has recorded since 2019. As of Feb. 29, nine other cases of the disease have been confirmed across Canada.

B.C.’s Health Ministry announced the case in a statement warning locals to confirm their immunization records, especially before going on spring break trips.

“With measles outbreaks being reported internationally and spring break on the horizon, the provincial health officer, BC Centre for Disease Control and public health officials are reminding people in British Columbia to check their vaccination records before travelling to ensure they are protected,” the statement said.

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Topic: vaccinesView all posts for the topic: vaccines

Fall COVID-19 vaccine cut illness risk by half overall

Published February 22, 2024

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Published by: Globe and Mail
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By Kelly Grant

The fall COVID-19 vaccine cut the risk of COVID-19 illness by about half overall, and by 67 per cent for those with a previous infection, according to new research from the Canadian network that has long tracked the performance of the annual flu shot.

This is the first time the Canadian Sentinel Practitioner Surveillance Network, which is comprised of hundreds of primary care providers in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, produced mid-season estimates of the effectiveness of immunization against COVID-19.

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Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia

Protect Our Province masking message on New West billboard takes aim at COVID

Published February 8, 2024

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Published by: New Westminster Record
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The pandemic has highlighted the lasting health impacts viruses can have, long after the acute infection is over and done with.

Many viruses, not just Covid, play a role in causing more serious long-term diseases. Epstein- Barr Virus (EBV), the mononucleosis or kissing disease virus, is associated with Multiple Sclerosis.

Recently, B.C. rolled out an at home self-test for Human Papilloma Virus, that’s because HPV can cause throat and cervical cancer.

After the Great Influenza of 1918, it took us years to learn that children born in and around that time were later at higher risk for Parkinson’s disease (remember Robert De Niro in the movie Awakenings), not to mention cardiac disease and diabetes.

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BC’s pandemic budget may “wind down” in 2024Photo of two masked friends walking in a corridor in an underground public transit station. Photo by Charlotte May / Pexels.
Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia

BC’s pandemic budget may “wind down” in 2024

Published February 6, 2024

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Published by: The Peak
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By Michelle Young

BC’s budget and fiscal report covers a “three year fiscal plan” for housing, sustainability, and healthcare. The report states, “As the funding for pandemic contingencies are set to wind down by the end of 2023/24, it is anticipated that the Ministry of Health will wind down or integrate any services into ministry operations, as appropriate, to support the ongoing health and well-being of British Columbians.”

The report did not elaborate, and The Peak reached out to the Ministry of Health for more information, who said they “will have an update to share following the release of the 2024/25 budget at the end of next month.”

DoNoHarm BC, who advocates for safer COVID-19 protections in the province, is concerned about the effects a potential budget cut could have for residents and provides a series of recommendations.

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Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia

Flu, RSV and COVID-19 cases all increased last week in B.C., data shows

Published February 1, 2024

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Published by: CTV News
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By Ian Holliday

Cases of influenza, RSV and COVID-19 all increased in B.C. this week, according to the latest respiratory illness data from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.

All three diseases remain well below their recent transmission peaks, however.

There were 528 positive tests for influenza in the province during the most recent epidemiological week, which spanned Jan. 21 to 27. That’s an increase from the 442 positive tests recorded the week before.

Continue readingFlu, RSV and COVID-19 cases all increased last week in B.C., data shows
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Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia

Interior Health drops all COVID-19 rapid tests at facilities

Published January 9, 2024

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Published by: Global News
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Interior Health (IH) has completely withdrawn its COVID-19 rapid antigen tests (RAT) from its facilities.

This is according to an internal memo obtained by Global News.

“(The rapid tests) are not reliable for diagnosis of COVID-19,” the memo stated.

“As such COVID-19 RAT testing can no longer be used to direct clinical care or infection prevention and control measures, and must be discontinued immediately in Interior Health affiliated emergency rooms, hospitals, long-term care facilities (and) outpatient settings.”

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Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia

219 in hospital with COVID-19 in B.C.’s 1st update of 2024

Published January 4, 2024

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Published by: CTV News
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By Ian Holliday

Nearly four years after B.C. confirmed its first case of the novel coronavirus that would come to be known as COVID-19, the province begins 2024 with 219 people in hospital with the disease.

That’s a notable jump since the last update provided by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control on Dec. 21, when there were 153 test-positive patients in hospital across the province.

In its latest update, the BCCDC says this roughly 43-per-cent increase in the hospitalized population “is being monitored.”

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Topic: labour rightsView all posts for the topic: labour rights

Camp operator penalized $206,000 after B.C. worker found dead of COVID-19

Published January 2, 2024

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Published by: Prince George Citizen
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By Stefan Labbé

An industrial camp operator has been fined over $200,000 for failing to implement COVID-19 safety measures after a worker died of the virus in their Dawson Creek, B.C., room.

The WorkSafeBC fine, handed down in September 2023 but released to the public last week, penalizes Horizon North Camp & Catering & Dexterra Group Inc. $206,346.90 for failing to implement a number of procedures.

Those include failing to enforce physical distancing, temperature checks, reporting symptoms, isolating workers and seeking medical attention.

Continue readingCamp operator penalized $206,000 after B.C. worker found dead of COVID-19
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Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia

153 in hospital with COVID-19 in BCCDC’s final data release of 2023

Published December 23, 2023

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Published by: CTV News
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By Ian Holliday

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control published its final respiratory illness data of the year this week, reporting continued increases in transmission of influenza and RSV, while COVID-19 levels remain stable.

There were 153 people hospitalized with COVID as of Thursday, a decrease from the last time that number was reported two weeks ago.

The number of new, lab-confirmed COVID-19 infections also declined in the latest update, though test positivity remained unchanged, indicating the decline was due to fewer government-funded tests being performed.

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Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia

COVID outbreak declared on fifth floor of Nanaimo hospital

Published December 14, 2023

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Published by: Times Colonist
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By Carla Wilson

An outbreak of COVID-19 has been declared on the fifth floor of Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

As of Thursday, a total of 10 hospital-acquired cases had been attributed to the outbreak. All patients are experiencing mild illness, an Island Health official said.

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Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia

B.C. COVID-19 data: Weekly update shows slight increase in hospital population

Published December 7, 2023

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Published by: CTV News
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By Ian Holliday

The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in B.C. ticked up slightly this week, but remained well below the early-October high.

The B.C. Centre for Disease Control reported 182 test-positive patients in hospital Thursday, up from 174 at this time last week.

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Now is not the time to end Covid-related services in BCPhoto of a healthcare worker who is wearing blue sterile gloves. Photo by Gustavo Fring via Pexels.
Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia

Now is not the time to end Covid-related services in BC

Published December 6, 2023

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Published by: The Georgia Straight
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By Dr. Karina Zeidler, Hannah Siden, E.S. Lee

After 2023, funding for Covid-related services is set to end in BC.

For nearly four years now, British Columbians have been grappling with Covid-19. We’re currently aided by health management initiatives like vaccination, testing, and protective equipment for healthcare workers. Since 2021, these measures have been funded by BC’s Pandemic Recovery Contingencies, a three-year plan that also sustains economic recovery programs and supports for vulnerable community members.

This plan expires at the end of 2023. After that, our government anticipates that “most initiatives will wind down or be integrated into existing government programs.”

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Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia

How to stay informed on COVID-19

Published December 5, 2023

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Published by: The Peak
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By Michelle Young

BC public health has made it too confusing to keep up on COVID-19 information. With the government changing information about COVID-19 data and obscuring data collection, knowingly downplaying risks about transmission, and overall unclear messaging, it’s no wonder people are misinformed.

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Renew pandemic support in BC’s 2024 BudgetAgainst British Columbia’s Parliament Building and a vivid blue sky is the DoNoHarm BC logo, and white and gold text reading, Renew pandemic support in BC’s 2024 Budget. www.DoNoHarmBC.ca
Topic: take actionView all posts for the topic: take action

Renew pandemic support in BC’s 2024 Budget

Published December 4, 2023

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Published by: DoNoHarm BC
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Read DoNoHarm BC’s 2024/25 provincial budget recommendations for pandemic resilience and economic recovery. Then email your MLA ASAP! The final budget will be announced on February 22.

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Topic: British ColumbiaView all posts for the topic: British Columbia

Total hospitalized with COVID-19 in B.C. climbs in latest weekly update

Published November 16, 2023

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Published by: CTV News
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By Ian Holliday

The number of people with COVID-19 in B.C. hospitals rose this week, while other data released Thursday by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control was a mixed bag.

There were 263 test-positive COVID patients in provincial hospitals Thursday, up from 244 last week, an increase of 7.7 per cent.

Continue readingTotal hospitalized with COVID-19 in B.C. climbs in latest weekly update
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