BC is reporting 694 new cases of COVID-19, pushing the number of active cases past 9,000 for the first time. Provincial heath officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has also announced another 12 deaths, raising the total to 481. Dr. Henry says the province is continuing to make progress on Operation Immunize and hopes to begin the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines in the coming weeks. But she says there will only be limited amounts at first for those most at risk of severe illness and deaths. British Columbia's top doctor says seniors in long-term care homes and hospitals will be the first to get a vaccine ag

The head of Canada's COVID-19 vaccine distribution program says a practice run next week will help get those involved comfortable with the intense requirements of distributing a compound that has to be kept below minus-70 Celsius at all times. Major General Dany Fortin says the military has been working with the government for months to prepare for eventual vaccine distribution, and Monday's dress rehearsal will involve officials from every province and territory. He says by practicing now, everyone will be ready when the first doses begin arriving in January. Health Canada has said it expect

The Quebec government is cancelling its plan to allow gatherings over four days at Christmas. Premier Francois Legault announced today the province will no longer permit multi-household gatherings of up to 10 people between Dec. 24 and 27, as had been planned. Legault first announced the Christmas plan on Nov. 19, saying people could get together as long as they quarantined for a week before and a week after the holiday period. But with COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths on the rise and a health system deemed fragile due to a lack of staffing, Legault says it's not realistic to think

A team from the Transportation Safety Board will try to figure out why a covered lifeboat suddenly fell from a bulk carrier in English Bay on Tuesday, injuring two crew members. The sailors were badly hurt when the lifeboat fell from the freighter Blue Bosporus as a drill was underway. Quick action by first responders, including the Vancouver police boat and a vessel from the Kitsilano coast guard station, stopped the lifeboat from sinking. It's not the first time a covered lifeboat has fallen from a ship in English Bay, three Ukrainian crew members died and another was hurt when a problem wi

Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Howard Njoo says there is light at the end of the tunnel. Njoo says Health Canada is expected to approve COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use early in the new year, triggering one of the most ambitious vaccination programs in Canadian history. He says there will eventually be enough vaccine doses for every Canadian. The military is going to conduct a practice run on Monday to ensure the plan to distribute vaccines will work. News of the vaccine program comes as Ontario reported a near-record 1,824 new COVID-19 infections and Quebec reported 1,470 new case

British police say four people have died following an explosion in a silo that holds treated biosolids at a waste water treatment plant near the southwest England city of Bristol. Chief Inspector Mark Runacres of Avon and Somerset Police said three employees of Wessex Water and one contractor died in the incident, which is not being treated as terror-related. He said a fifth person was injured during the explosion at Avonmouth. His condition is not thought to be life-threatening. The explosion took place in a silo holding organic matter from sewage before it "is recycled to land as an organic

On December 3, 2020 just after 5:30 a.m., the Surrey RCMP responded to a report of a single vehicle collision in the alleyway of the 13700-block of 75A Avenue. A 30 year old female was located with critical injuries, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Despite all efforts by first responders, the woman succumbed to her injuries. Early information indicates a second vehicle was involved in this shooting and police are currently combing the area for any potential evidence, including video surveillance. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) will be investigating this occurrence

British Columbia's provincial health officer says it's crucial that anyone coming to BC over the holidays follows public health rules. Dr. Bonnie Henry says she can't stop anyone from getting on a plane or into a car. But she urged everyone to stay put this holiday season unless the travel is essential. Dr. Henry says cases are levelling off in the Fraser and Vancouver Coastal health regions but have been rising in the North, Interior and to a lesser extent on Vancouver Island. BC's provincial health officer says those who believe COVID-19 restrictions don't apply to them put a crack in the w

Fraser Health says regular admission has resumed through the emergency department at Burnaby Hospital, after a fire there last month. The health authority says some restoration is complete and acknowledged the dedication of hospital staff, who are also dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak. There are 60 patients and 42 staff associated with the outbreak at the hospital. Fraser Health says 10 people have died.