9.3°C Vancouver

Jan 22, 2020 4:23 PM -

Cases of new viral respiratory illness rise sharply in China

Share On
cases-of-new-viral-respiratory-illness-rise-sharply-in-china
In this Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2020, photo, travelers wearing face masks walk with their luggage at Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan in southern China's Hubei province. The U.S. on Tuesday reported its first case of a new and potentially deadly virus circulating in China, saying a Washington state resident who returned last week from the outbreak's epicenter was hospitalized near Seattle. (Chinatopix via AP)

Chinese health authorities are urging people in the city of Wuhan to avoid crowds and public gatherings after warning that a new viral illness infecting hundreds of people in the country and causing at least 17 deaths could spread further.

A national health official says 500 cases are confirmed in China.

The 17 deaths are all in Hubei province, where the first cases were reported last month. The illness comes from a new coronavirus that experts say may be spread through the respiratory tract and may be mutating.

An expert meeting convened by the World Health Organization on Wednesday will determine whether to declare the outbreak a global health crisis.

Latest news

nanaimo-rcmp-warn-residents-after-24-000-lost-in-bank-impersonation-scam
BCFeb 24, 2026

Nanaimo RCMP warn residents after $24,000 lost in bank impersonation scam

Police in Nanaimo are urging residents to remain cautious after a local resident lost about $24,000 in a fraud scheme involving suspects posing as bank officials. The Nanaimo RCMP say the victim believed they were communicating with representatives from the Royal Bank of Canada after receiving multiple phone calls and text messages that appeared to come from an official bank number. According to investigators, some of the messages included security verification codes. The victim, thinking the communication was legitimate, shared personal details with the caller. Police say that information was
alberta-returns-to-court-to-contest-federal-impact-assessment-act-amendments
AlbertaFeb 24, 2026

Alberta returns to court to contest federal Impact Assessment Act amendments

The Alberta government is once again asking the courts to strike down Ottawa’s Impact Assessment Act, arguing that recent amendments still infringe on provincial jurisdiction over natural resources and development. The Alberta Court of Appeal began hearing arguments in Calgary this week in the province’s renewed constitutional challenge. The legislation, first enacted in 2019, establishes a federal review process for major infrastructure and resource projects, including pipelines, mines and energy developments, assessing potential environmental, economic, health and social impacts. Alberta
first-ever-punjabi-broadcast-of-vancouver-whitecaps-game
BCFeb 24, 2026

First ever Punjabi broadcast of Vancouver Whitecaps game

Last Saturday, on International Mother Language Day, Punjabi (speaking and understanding) audience for the first time, got to hear commentary of a Major League Soccer match in Punjabi. Connect 91.5 FM aired the Vancouver Whitecaps game live in Punjabi. In addition to the game, there was a pre-game show and a post-game show. On this historic occasion, the commentary was handled by Connect FM's News Director Parvez Sandhu, and young commentators Jagraj Lali and Shubham Arora. This Punjabi commentary partnership between Connect FM and the Whitecaps was not limited to a single match, but rather th
BCFeb 24, 2026

One person feared dead after fire destroys Fraser Lake Inn and nearby business

A person is believed to have died following an early morning fire that destroyed the Fraser Lake Inn and a neighbouring commercial building in the community of Fraser Lake. The Fraser Lake RCMP said officers were called to the scene at approximately 3:06 a.m. on February 22 after reports of a structure fire at the Fraser Lake Inn. When police arrived, they learned that an individual had reportedly re-entered the building and had not been located. Officers attempted to search the structure but were forced to withdraw because of heavy smoke. The Fraser Lake Fire Department later extinguished the
WorldFeb 24, 2026

Former UK ambassador Peter Mandelson arrested in London over alleged misconduct linked to Epstein

British authorities have arrested former United Kingdom ambassador and senior political figure Peter Mandelson as part of an investigation tied to his past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Metropolitan Police Service confirmed that officers detained a 72 year old man at a residence in north London on suspicion of misconduct in public office. While police did not formally identify the individual, British media have previously reported that the investigation concerns Peter Mandelson. Investigators are examining documents that allegedly suggest Mandelson shared sensiti

Related News