As of Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, masks must be worn in all indoor public spaces throughout B.C. to help slow the transmission of COVID-19 as B.C. prepares for the fall and respiratory illness season.A new order from the provincial health officer will require people 12 and older to wear masks in indoor public settings, regardless of vaccination status. These settings include:- malls, shopping centres, coffee shops and retail and grocery stores;- liquor and drug stores;- airports, city halls, libraries, community and recreation centres;- restaurants, pubs and bars (unless seated);- on public tran

Over a three-day period, B.C. is reporting 1,711 new cases of COVID-19, including three epi-linked cases, for a total of 160,630 cases in the province:Aug. 20-21: 724 new casesAug. 21-22: 545 new casesAug. 22-23: 442 new casesThere are 5,056 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 153,627 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 133 individuals are in hospital and 80 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.The new/active cases include:419 new cases in Fraser HealthTotal active cases: 1,194290 new cases in Vancouver Coasta

The Canadian Pacific coast province of British Columbia is bringing in a vaccine card for residents to get access to restaurants, clubs, sporting events and other activities. Premier John Horgan says the card will give people the confidence to attend events and businesses knowing that others are protected around them.Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says starting Sept. 13 a new order will require proof of having had a single dose of a vaccine to access certain social and recreational activities, as well as businesses. After Oct. 24, Henry says entry to the same settings will require

The Conservatives are asking Elections Canada to investigate a tweet from Liberal Chrystia Freeland that Twitter labelled as manipulated media. Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole accuses the Liberals of using American-style politics to divide Canadians.Freeland posted spliced-together clips of O'Toole answering a question about private, for-profit options in universal health coverage. In the clips, O'Toole says he wants to find public-private synergies. The Tories say the Liberals intentionally altered the original video to make it materially misrepresent the party's position.

B.C. is reporting 663 new cases of COVID-19, including seven epi-linked cases, for a total of 158,919 cases in the province.There are 6,345 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 150,657 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 129 individuals are in hospital and 59 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation. In the past 24 hours, one new death (Fraser Health) has been reported, for an overall total of 1,785.There have been no new health-care facility outbreaks. There are 11 active outbreaks:- long-term care: Heritage Villa

Erin O'Toole says he believes doctors have the right to refuse some services if they object for reasons of conscience. But the federal Conservative leader told reporters in Winnipeg today that those doctors must then refer patients seeking services like abortion or medical assistance in dying to another provider. O'Toole had faced questions about his position on conscience rights for health professionals after a promise to uphold them appeared in his party's election platform. He accused Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau of trying to divide Canadians because of his attack on Conservatives over th

B.C. is reporting 689 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 158,256 cases in the province.There are 5,982 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 150,377 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 121 individuals are in hospital and 56 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation. In the past 24 hours, two new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 1,784. The new deaths include:Interior Health: oneNorthern Health: oneThere is one new long-term care facility outbreak at Heritage Village (Fraser Health). The outbreak a

B.C. is reporting 553 new cases of COVID-19, including one epi-linked case, for a total of 157,567 cases in the province.There are currently 5,580 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 150,102 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 107 individuals are in hospital and 53 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.In the past 24 hours, one new death (Fraser Health) has been reported, for an overall total of 1,782.There is one new assisted living outbreak at Nicola Meadows (Interior Health), for a total of 11 active outbre

The wildfire situation is continually evolving, and the information below is current as of 7 p.m. (Pacific time) on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. Fires:Wildfires currently burning in B.C.: 264Since April 1, 2021:1, 518 wildfires846,144 hectares of area burnedActive fires by fire centre:Cariboo: 32Coastal: 18Kamloops: 85Northwest: 5Prince George: 57Southeast: 67Resources:Firefighters and other personnel currently fighting the fires: 3,830Out-of-province firefighters: 490Helicopters and planes supporting ground crews: 210Evacuations:Evacuation orders: 80 (-6)Evacuation alerts: 123 (-2)Properties:Numbe