British Columbia is delaying the full return to classrooms in January to allow public health officials to assess the impact of the COVID-19 Omicron variant and give school staff time to implement enhanced safety measures. Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside says staff and students whose parents are health workers, as well as those who need extra support, will return to schools Jan. 3 or 4. All other students will return to classrooms Jan. 10. Whiteside says enhanced safety measures will include the cancellation of extracurricular sports and plans to control crowding at schools, such as thro

The world junior men's hockey championship in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta., was cancelled Wednesday in the face of lost games due to COVID-19. A third game forfeited in two days left the International Ice Hockey Federation, Hockey Canada and organizing committee with few options to continue a tournament with competitive integrity, and they opted to call off the 11-day, 10-country tournament in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alta. After two days of games, players testing positive for COVID-19 had put defending champion United States, Russia and Czechia into mandatory quarantines by Wednesday. Canada w

British Columbia health officials reported 6,288 COVID-19 cases for a three-day period. A news release Monday says the case numbers are ``preliminary.'' Officials say hospitalization, death and vaccination numbers related to COVID-19 will be given Wednesday. They say there were 2,552 cases on Christmas Eve, 2,023 on Christmas Day and 1,713 on Boxing Day. Health experts have said COVID-19 case numbers are likely to be higher than reported because several hospitals and sites have reached testing limits. Provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry had said testing sites across B.C. were seeing l

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on Christmas:"Merry Christmas, Canada! Today, our family joins Christians across the country and around the world to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and his message of compassion, love, and selflessness."As a family, we usually gather for meals with loved ones, exchange gifts around the Christmas tree, and most importantly, create memories together. This is also a day to reflect on the many contributions that Christians have made – and continue to make – to communities across the country. This holiday season, like

British Columbia businesses that were mandated to temporarily shut down through public health orders because of surging COVID-19 cases will be eligible to receive a new one-time relief grant of up to $10,000.The COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant will supplement federal support programs and provide funding to help affected businesses alleviate some financial pressures and help with expenses including rent, employee wages, insurance, maintenance and utilities."We’re all exhausted by COVID-19, but unfortunately COVID-19 is not done with us," said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and

B.C. is reporting 1,474 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 231,117 cases in the province.There are 7,253 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 221,280 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 187 individuals are in hospital and 71 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the last 24 hours, six new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,409.The new deaths include:Fraser Health: threeNorthern Health: oneIsland Health: twoNote: The update on cases of the Omicron variant of concern will be provided in to

Canadian swimmers have given their best performance in the short course world championships. Canada won a total of 15 medals at the world championships played at Abu Dhabi. Canadian swimmers ended the championship with 7 gold, 6 silver and 2 bronze medals. US won the most medals and ended the championship with 30 medals that included 9 gold medals. Swimming Canada on Twitter: With 15 medals, this is Canada’s most medals won ever at any World Championships or Olympic Games!

British Columbia is tightening public health restrictions as it also introduces enhanced rapid testing and booster shot programs to fight the highly contagious COVID-19 Omicron variant. Starting at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, bars, nightclubs, gyms, fitness centres and dance studios will have to close, and all seated events will be reduced to 50 per cent capacity. Indoor gatherings including weddings are being cancelled. The health orders allow restaurants and cafes to stay open, but seating will be limited to a maximum of six people at a table, and physical distancing must be followed. The new

Over a three-day period, B.C. is reporting 2,550 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 228,335 cases in the province:Dec. 17-18: 911 new casesDec. 18-19: 832 new casesDec. 19-20: 807 new casesThere are 5,435 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 220,348 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 185 individuals are in hospital and 77 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the last 72 hours, three new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,402.The new deaths include:Fraser Health: oneNorthern Health: one