Canada's chief public health officer says regardless of when a COVID-19 vaccine is developed, the Public Health Agency of Canada is planning to be responding to the pandemic for at least another year if not two or three. Dr. Theresa Tam says a safe and effective vaccine is a very important aspect of the COVID-19 response, but it is not the ``silver bullet'' that will end the health crisis. Tam says the public health measures we currently have in place such as social distancing, wearing a mask in indoor public spaces are going to have to continue in the long-run. Answering criticism that the f

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has issued an evacuation alert for 43 properties northwest of Princeton as a small wildfire burns nearby. The blaze was sparked Sunday by lightning but had charred just 22 hectares by yesterday evening. A crew of 50, backed by heavy equipment, helicopters and airtankers, is assigned to contain the fire, which is the largest of just over 20 that broke out over the long weekend. The BC Wildfire Service lists the fire danger across much of the southern quarter of the province as high to extreme but Environment Canada says cooler weather and rain are

The federal Liberals have given companies more than $5.8 billion in COVID-19-related contracts for personal protective gear and medical supplies. The latest figures provided by the government also show that about two-fifths of the total contracts awarded as of July 16 have gone to domestic suppliers, some of them having retooled operations to provide needed masks, gowns, gloves and ventilators. But many details of the companies involved and the amounts of their contracts are being kept from public view. Nowhere is that more apparent than in the data on N95 respirator masks, where all

A massive explosion has shaken Lebanon's capital Beirut, wounding a number people and causing widespread damage.The afternoon blast shook several parts of the capital and thick smoke billowed from the city centre.Residents reported windows being blown out and a false ceilings dropping.The explosion appeared to be centred around Beirut's port and caused wide scale destruction and shattered windows miles away.An Associated Press photographer near Beirut's port witnessed people wounded on the ground and widespread destruction in central Beirut.Some local TV stations reported the blast was at Beir

The federal government's COVID-19 contact tracing app is facing criticism for its download requirements, which restrict some Canadians from accessing and using the app.The free "COVID Alert" app, which became available on Friday, is designed to track the location of phones relative to each other, without collecting personal data anywhere centrally.Users are notified if their phones have recently been near the phone of a person who later volunteers that they have tested positive for COVID-19.But the app requires users to have Apple or Android phones made in the last five years, and a relativel

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday informed that he has tested positive for coronavirus and has been advised by the doctors to be admitted to the hospital. Taking to Twitter, Shah said that he underwent coronavirus test after getting the initial symptoms of the virus. He also appealed to people who have come in contact with him in the last few days to isolate themselves and get tested. "On getting the initial symptoms of corona, I got the test done and the report has come positive. My health is fine, but I am being admitted to the hospital on the advice of doctors. I request all of you wh

Seven persons were arrested on Friday from Amritsar Rural, Batala, and Tarn Taran districts in connection with the spurious liquor case in Punjab.As many as 38 people died in the three districts allegedly after drinking spurious liquor.The Punjab Police set up five teams to conduct raids across affected districts. "Seven more persons arrested from Amritsar Rural, Batala and Tarn Taran districts in the spurious liquor case. Punjab Police has set up 5 teams to conduct raids across affected districts as death toll rises to 38," said Punjab Information and Public Relations Department.On Thursday,

There are 116,312 confirmed cases in Canada. Quebec: 59,312 confirmed (including 5,674 deaths, 50,886 resolved) Ontario: 39,209 confirmed (including 2,775 deaths, 35,074 resolved) Alberta: 10,843 confirmed (including 196 deaths, 9,261 resolved) British Columbia: 3,641 confirmed (including 195 deaths, 3,168 resolved) Saskatchewan: 1,319 confirmed (including 18 deaths, 1,008 resolved) Nova Scotia: 1,069 confirmed (including 64 deaths, 1,003 resolved) Manitoba: 401 confirmed (including 8 deaths, 337 resolved), 14 presumptive Newfoundland and Labrador: 266 confirmed (including 3 deaths, 259 resol

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, have issued a joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia. "Today, we are announcing 50 new cases, including five epi-linked cases, for a total of 3,641 cases in British Columbia. "There are 278 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 3,168 people who tested positive have recovered. "Of the total COVID-19 cases, five individuals are hospitalized, two of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-