Skip to Main content

10.94°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Dec 21, 2021 5:51 PM - The Canadian Press

Fast-moving Omicron variant prompts additional COVID-19 measures in BC, ministry

Share On

More health measures could be coming in British Columbia one day after restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19 took effect.

Health Minister Adrian Dix, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry are set to provide another update this afternoon on COVID-19.

The Ministry of Health has reported 2,550 new cases between Friday and Sunday, pushing the total number of active infections to 5,435 _ a leap of 2,486 cases in one week.

The ministry says public health is monitoring the increase as well as developments in other areas, and will outline additional measures.

Restrictions that took effect yesterday limit the size of indoor personal gatherings, cap audience numbers in large venues and prohibit most New Year's Eve parties amid growing concerns that patients with the Omicron variant could overwhelm hospitals.

Dix and Henry are also expected to announce changes to the province's rapid testing policy.

Latest news

punjab-to-launch-chief-ministers-health-insurance-scheme-on-january-22

IndiaJan 12, 2026

Punjab to launch Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme on January 22

The Punjab government will roll out its Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme on January 22, a week later than originally planned, state Health Minister Balbir Singh said on Monday. The scheme was initially scheduled to be launched on January 15, but the date was deferred after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s Jathedar summoned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on that day. As a result, the government decided to postpone the formal launch by one week. Balbir Singh said a trial phase will be conducted before the full rollout to ensure the system is functioning smoothly. He added

police-probe-second-shooting-at-cloverdale-home-amid-surrey-extortion-investigations

CanadaJan 12, 2026

Police probe second shooting at Cloverdale home amid Surrey extortion investigations

Police in Surrey are investigating an early-morning shooting at a Cloverdale residence that left a home damaged but no one hurt. Officers were called shortly after 2:20 a.m. to the 18700 block of 54 Avenue following reports of gunfire in the area. According to police, responding members found evidence that a residence had been struck. No injuries were reported, and occupants were not harmed. The RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit General Investigation Unit has taken over the case and continues to gather evidence. Investigators say the home was also targeted in a previous shooting o

calgary-police-probe-speed-alcohol-and-drugs-in-fatal-deerfoot-trail-crash

AlbertaJan 12, 2026

Calgary police probe speed, alcohol and drugs in fatal Deerfoot Trail crash

Calgary police are investigating whether speed, alcohol or drugs played a role in a deadly crash on Deerfoot Trail over the weekend that claimed the life of a man in his 50s. Investigators say the man was driving a Nissan Altima southbound on Deerfoot Trail, approaching Glenmore Trail, when the vehicle struck a construction barrier. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say the impact was severe enough that the car’s engine was ejected and landed in an adjacent lane of traffic. Shortly afterward, a second vehicle, a Toyota, struck the engine. The driver of that vehicle was take

former-us-president-donald-trump-claims-role-as-venezuelas-acting-president-in-social-media-post

WorldJan 12, 2026

Former US President Donald Trump Claims Role as Venezuela’s “Acting President” in Social Media Post

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, former United States president Donald Trump identified himself as the “acting president” of Venezuela, saying he would assume that position in January 2026. He also referred to himself as both the 45th and 47th president of the United States in the same message. There has been no official confirmation or statement from the White House or the current US administration regarding Trump’s claim about Venezuela. The Trump post comes after a major US action on January 3, when Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, we

ihit-names-victim-in-fatal-abbotsford-shooting-appeals-for-public-help

IHIT names victim in fatal Abbotsford shooting, appeals for public help

British Columbia’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has identified the man killed in a daytime shooting in Abbotsford last week, an incident investigators say is connected to ongoing gang-related violence in the region. IHIT says 28-year-old Navpreet Dhaliwal died after being shot on Friday on Siskin Drive. Abbotsford police were called to the area shortly before 1 p.m., where paramedics attempted life-saving measures. Dhaliwal was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators have described the killing as a targeted attack that occurred in a residential area during the middle of the day

Related News

IHIT names victim in fatal Abbotsford shooting, appeals for public help

IHIT names victim in fatal Abbotsford shooting, appeals for public help

British Columbia’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has identified the man killed in a daytime shooting in Abbotsford last week, an incident investigators say is connected to ongoing gang-related violence in the region. IHIT says 28-year-old Navpreet Dhaliwal died after being shot on Friday on Siskin Drive. Abbotsford police were called to the area shortly before 1 p.m., where paramedics attempted life-saving measures. Dhaliwal was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators have described the killing as a targeted attack that occurred in a residential area during the middle of the day

Prince George RCMP ask drivers for dash cam footage after report near Simon Fraser Bridge

Prince George RCMP ask drivers for dash cam footage after report near Simon Fraser Bridge

Prince George RCMP are asking members of the public to come forward with dash camera footage following a report of a person seen near the Simon Fraser Bridge on Sunday morning. Police say the incident occurred shortly before 10:30 a.m. on Highway 97 near Ferry Avenue. According to RCMP, a caller reported seeing an individual wearing dark clothing and carrying a backpack standing near the guard rail on the south side of the bridge. Frontline officers responded quickly but the person was no longer at the location when police arrived. Search efforts were carried out with assistance from Prince Ge

B.C. posts job gains in 2025 despite December dip, province says

B.C. posts job gains in 2025 despite December dip, province says

British Columbia added more than 24,000 jobs over the past year despite a modest employment decline in December, according to the latest Labour Force Survey released by Statistics Canada. In a statement issued on behalf of Jobs and Economic Growth Minister Ravi Kahlon, Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said the province recorded a net gain of 24,100 jobs in 2025, including 16,800 positions in construction. The government says the growth reflects continued public investment in schools, hospitals and transportation infrastructure across the province. The survey showed B.C. lost 3,300 jobs in December

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital