BCAug 05, 2020
B.C. reports 146 new cases of COVID-19, no new deaths since Friday
British Columbia health minister is urging residents not to attend private parties and gatherings after recent increases in the number of COVID-19 cases across the province. Health Minister Adrian Dix says many of the latest cases stem from such events and the numbers serve as a reminder that people must adhere to public health rules this summer. B.C.'s top doctor says public health workers are tracing the contacts of almost all the new cases. But Dr. Bonnie Henry says that's possible because transmission remains low and residents must ensure it stays that way. She says common factors in many
CanadaAug 04, 2020
Feds keep lid on company names, dollar amounts in some COVID-19 contracts
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
CanadaAug 04, 2020
Rollout of COVID-19 Alert app faces criticism over accessibility
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
BCJul 31, 2020
50 new COVID-19 cases and one death reported in B.C.
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-
CanadaJul 31, 2020
Canadians can now download new COVID-19 exposure-alert smartphone app
Canadians can now begin downloading a voluntary smartphone app meant to warn users they've been near someone who tests positive for COVID-19.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he downloaded the "COVID Alert" app this morning and says the more people who sign up to use it, the better it will be able to trace — and help to slow — the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The app is designed to track the location of phones relative to each other, without collecting personal data anywhere centrally, using digital identifications unique to each device.
Then users can be notified if their phones hav
BCJul 30, 2020
29 new COVID-19 cases in B.C., cases related to Abbotsford berry packing plant rise to 59
There are currently five people in hospital, sickened with COVID-19, the lowest number since March. Health Minister Adrian Dix says he's pleased to see the lower figure from the peak of 144 people in hospital. There are no deaths to report, but another 29 positive cases have been added to list. While there are no new outbreaks, there are now 59 cases linked to Fraser Valley Packers, the Abbotsford berry packing plant. Total number of COVID-19 cases in British Columbia is now 3,591.
CanadaJul 30, 2020
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testifies on WE Charity controversy
The question of how the Liberals will use the 912-million-dollars budgeted for a COVID-19 student-volunteer program remains unanswered, as Justin Trudeau wrapped up a 90-minute appearance before the House of Commons finance committee.Prime Minister Trudeau says the Canada Student Service Grant was another way to promote youth service and the Liberals will continue to look for opportunities to do that.During his testimony, Trudeau told the committee the country won't know whether going with WE Charity to run the program was the right decision, because the organization backed out. Trudeau's chi
BCJul 30, 2020
B.C.'s COVID infections jump by 41 with more cases at packing plant in Abbotsford
There are more COVID-19 infections from outbreaks at a British Columbia berry packing plant and on Haida Gwaii, contributing to the provincial total of 41 new cases announced Wednesday. A statement from provincial health officials says there are now 31 cases connected to Fraser Valley Packers Inc. in Abbotsford and there have been 20 positive tests on Haida Gwaii. It also says an alert has been issued about community exposure for anyone who was at the Liquid Zoo night club in Kelowna from July 15 to 18. A COVID-19 outbreak at the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouve
CanadaJul 29, 2020
MPs on ethics committee to meet amid parliamentary probe of WE agreement
MPs on the House of Commons ethics committee will meet this afternoon to push forward their own parliamentary probe of the federal government's aborted deal with WE Charity to run a student-volunteer program.The committee is seeking documents on the speaking fees the charity paid to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's immediate family, which amount to some $300,000 plus expenses.Opposition MPs, who outnumber Liberals, have also used their numbers to ask Trudeau to testify before the ethics committee as part of its work.Trudeau is set to testify tomorrow at the House of Commons finance committee a
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