19.72°C Vancouver

Feb 9, 2021 6:24 PM -

If the variants take hold as in parts of Ontario, a whole new pandemic could get underway: Dr. Bonnie Henry

Share On
if-the-variants-take-hold-as-in-parts-of-ontario-a-whole-new-pandemic-could-get-underway-dr-bonnie-henry
Dr. Bonnie Henry can be seen replying to questions during a news conference. (B.C. Government)

BC's top doctor is appealing for continued vigilance with COVID-19 public health orders as officials try to understand the prevalence of the UK and South African variants and how they entered communities.

Doctor Bonnie Henry says that's part of the work being done before pandemic restrictions that have been in place since November are loosened as the province anticipates an increasing number of vaccines to be delivered in the coming weeks.

Dr. Henry says that if the variants take hold as in parts of Ontario, a whole new pandemic could get underway so it's important not to undo the progress that's led to lower cases of COVID-19.

She says over 154,000 people have received the first dose of a vaccine.

A mass immunization program is expected to be launched in March.

Latest news

CanadaSep 11, 2026

BMO Announces $70 Billion Investment Over 10 Years in Key Canadian Sectors

Bank of Montreal (BMO), one of Canada’s major banks, has announced plans to invest $70 billion in capital over the next 10 years in sectors considered critical to the country’s economy, including critical minerals and electricity. The bank says the initiative is aimed at strengthening Canada’s economic security and long-term stability. The announcement comes as Canada continues to face economic challenges and an ongoing trade dispute with the United States. The move also aligns with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government’s efforts to reduce Canada’s reliance on the U.S. and suppor
canada-ends-special-family-sponsorship-exemption-for-refugees
CanadaSep 11, 2026

Canada Ends Special Family Sponsorship Exemption for Refugees

Canada has quietly ended a special policy that allowed certain refugees to sponsor family members whose names were not included in their original immigration applications. Under the temporary policy, some refugees and permanent residents were able to sponsor spouses or children who had not been declared in their initial applications. The policy, introduced about seven years ago, expired on Thursday following a decision by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab. Under current Canadian immigration rules, permanent residents generally cannot sponsor family members who were not declared during the
BCSep 11, 2026

BC Anti-Gang Task Force Seizes Guns, Drugs and Cash in Fort St. John

British Columbia’s anti-gang police task force has seized a significant amount of weapons, drugs and cash during a major operation in the Fort St. John community. According to Sergeant Sarbjit Kaur Sangha of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, officers were deployed to the area at the request of local police between August 21 and September 5. During the operation, several arrests were made in connection with ongoing gang conflicts and illegal drug trafficking in the area. Police seized cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl, along with seven firearms, including handguns, rifles and
calgary-police-lay-extortion-charges-continue-search-for-suspect
AlbertaSep 11, 2026

Calgary Police Lay Extortion Charges, Continue Search for Suspect

Calgary police have laid extortion charges against 23-year-old Kanurit Kaur, 21-year-old Tanveer Singh and a 17-year-old youth in connection with an extortion investigation. Police are searching for Singh, who is wanted on a warrant for possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. According to police, on March 25 at around 4:30 p.m., a woman received a demand for money through WhatsApp from an unknown number. The suspects appeared to have detailed information about the victim’s personal and business affairs. The caller repeatedly attempted to contact the victim and made explicit thr
canada-u-s-remain-in-contact-despite-trade-talks-breakdown-leblanc
CanadaSep 11, 2026

Canada, U.S. remain in contact despite trade talks breakdown: LeBlanc

Canada and the United States remain in contact despite the breakdown in formal trade talks, Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc has confirmed. Speaking to reporters in Banff, Alberta, LeBlanc said that while Canada is not currently engaged in formal trade negotiations with Washington, communication between the two countries continues. LeBlanc said he does not have any meetings scheduled in Washington at the moment, but has spoken several times by phone with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. He reiterated that Canada is ready to return to the ne

Related News