Health

In this March 2021 file photo provided by Pfizer, vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are prepared for packaging at the company’s facility in Puurs, Belgium. (Pfizer via AP)

COVID vaccines saved 20M lives in 1st year, scientists say

Researchers used data from 185 countries

 

People sit and lie in the sun at Kitsilano Beach Park as temperatures reached highs into 20s in Vancouver on Saturday, May 9, 2020,. (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck).

If you can’t stand the heat: Tips to stay cool in B.C.’s first heat wave of the summer

Temperatures expected to top 30 C this weekend in many parts of B.C.

 

June 19, 2022 was the six year anniversary of the attack on Jessie Simpson, leaving him in a wheelchair and requiring 24/7 care (Sue Simpson/Facebook)

Kamloops mom recalls brutal baseball bat attack on son, 6 years later

Mom Sue continues to fundraise to cover costs of bringing her son home on weekends

  • Jun 20, 2022

 

Photo Description: The CLS located at the University of Saskatchewan. Courtesy: Frank Chen/Asia Times

B.C. researchers using lights brighter than the sun to curb hip implant failures

UBC-led team has discovered chemical particles corroding the body as it fights the new joint

Photo Description: The CLS located at the University of Saskatchewan. Courtesy: Frank Chen/Asia Times
B.C. sees record-breaking number of MRI and CT scans performed in a year, as province tackles long wait times (pixabay.com/jarmoluk).

B.C. breaks provincial record for number of MRI and CT scans performed

Minisitry of Health says MRIs up 20 per cent, CT exams jump 11 per cent

B.C. sees record-breaking number of MRI and CT scans performed in a year, as province tackles long wait times (pixabay.com/jarmoluk).
This undated photo provided by Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca in June 2022 shows production of their Enhertu, an antibody-chemotherapy drug administered intravenously. (Daiichi Sankyo/AstraZeneca via AP)

Researchers: Breast cancer drug could help more patients

‘It’s a practice-changing study’

This undated photo provided by Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca in June 2022 shows production of their Enhertu, an antibody-chemotherapy drug administered intravenously. (Daiichi Sankyo/AstraZeneca via AP)
The heat wave was challenging for the elderly who are more likely to live alone, have possible difficulties drinking lots of water, are less able to detect their body is overheating, may live in a home that does not offer air conditioning or good cross ventilation, have difficulty accessing cool parts of their house such as the basement and have greater overall health frailty. (Metro Creative photo)

Heat alert: Okanagan woman calls for A/C in seniors’ homes ahead of summer

Alysha-Dawn Wolf says her mother is living in a hot box, doesn’t have money to spare

  • Jun 6, 2022
The heat wave was challenging for the elderly who are more likely to live alone, have possible difficulties drinking lots of water, are less able to detect their body is overheating, may live in a home that does not offer air conditioning or good cross ventilation, have difficulty accessing cool parts of their house such as the basement and have greater overall health frailty. (Metro Creative photo)
Registered Nurse Manjot Kaur Munday prepares to attend a COVID-19 patient at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey, B.C., Friday, June 4, 2021. A lack of data tracking Canadians who have had COVID-19 could hinder efforts to understand potential post-infection conditions, such as diabetes and brain fog, experts have warned. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

COVID data void in Canada could hamper understanding of lingering impact: experts

Reliance on at-home rapid testing causing major gap in COVID numbers

Registered Nurse Manjot Kaur Munday prepares to attend a COVID-19 patient at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey, B.C., Friday, June 4, 2021. A lack of data tracking Canadians who have had COVID-19 could hinder efforts to understand potential post-infection conditions, such as diabetes and brain fog, experts have warned. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
This 2003 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a monkeypox virion, obtained from a sample associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. Alberta’s chief medical officer of health says the province has identified a case of monkeypox. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner, CDC

Alberta’s chief medical officer of health confirms province’s first monkeypox case

On Wednesday, Quebec confirmed 52 monkeypox cases

This 2003 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a monkeypox virion, obtained from a sample associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. Alberta’s chief medical officer of health says the province has identified a case of monkeypox. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner, CDC
Ross Wightman has been approved for compensation after falling ill due to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (Ross Wightman/Facebook)

Lake Country man one of 1st in Canada to be approved for COVID vaccine injury compensation

The program will pay up to $284,000 for pain and suffering

  • Jun 2, 2022
Ross Wightman has been approved for compensation after falling ill due to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (Ross Wightman/Facebook)
The Emergency Room entrance at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. (John McKinley file)

B.C. Indigenous family files complaint for mistreatment at Vancouver Island hospital

Island Health said it acknowledges man did not receive culturally safe care

The Emergency Room entrance at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. (John McKinley file)
Tri-Star Seafood Supply Ltd. has recalled some of its live spot prawns sold in various parts of Canada. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C.-based seafood supplier recalls some live spot prawns over norovirus risk

Tri-Star Seafood Supply Ltd. product numbers AJ200-021, CA001-1532, CA001-1540 shouldn’t be consumed

Tri-Star Seafood Supply Ltd. has recalled some of its live spot prawns sold in various parts of Canada. (Black Press Media file photo)
Lake Country neighbours rallied together to raise funds for Rylie and family while she fights cancer (Tammie Slater/Facebook)

‘Best street ever’: Lake Country neighbours rally behind child with cancer

Three-year-old Rylie is battling stage 4 agressive neuroblastoma

  • Jun 1, 2022
Lake Country neighbours rallied together to raise funds for Rylie and family while she fights cancer (Tammie Slater/Facebook)
The Heart Research Institute says that every seven minutes in Canada someone dies from heart disease or stroke. Photo submitted

Stroke month aims to close gaps in medical treatment

The Heart & Stroke Foundation will be campaigning to raise funds and awareness throughout June

The Heart Research Institute says that every seven minutes in Canada someone dies from heart disease or stroke. Photo submitted
B.C. Premier John Horgan, left, and Health Minister Adrian Dix listen during an announcement to mark the start of construction on the redevelopment and modernization of the Burnaby Hospital, in Burnaby, B.C., on Monday, May 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. starts Burnaby Hospital upgrade as rural hospitals face weekend ward closures

Hospitals at Clearwater, Port McNeill closed temporarily, Burnaby gets $1.3 billion upgrade

B.C. Premier John Horgan, left, and Health Minister Adrian Dix listen during an announcement to mark the start of construction on the redevelopment and modernization of the Burnaby Hospital, in Burnaby, B.C., on Monday, May 30, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE - This 2003 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows mature, oval-shaped monkeypox virions, left, and spherical immature virions, right, obtained from a sample of human skin associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. WHO’s top monkeypox expert Dr. Rosamund Lewis said she doesn’t expect the hundreds of cases reported to date to turn into another pandemic, but acknowledged there are still many unknowns about the disease, including how exactly it’s spreading and whether the suspension of mass smallpox immunization decades ago may somehow be speeding its transmission. (Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner/CDC via AP, File)

WHO: Monkeypox won’t turn into pandemic, but many unknowns

‘We are concerned that individuals may acquire this infection through high-risk exposure’

FILE - This 2003 electron microscope image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows mature, oval-shaped monkeypox virions, left, and spherical immature virions, right, obtained from a sample of human skin associated with the 2003 prairie dog outbreak. WHO’s top monkeypox expert Dr. Rosamund Lewis said she doesn’t expect the hundreds of cases reported to date to turn into another pandemic, but acknowledged there are still many unknowns about the disease, including how exactly it’s spreading and whether the suspension of mass smallpox immunization decades ago may somehow be speeding its transmission. (Cynthia S. Goldsmith, Russell Regner/CDC via AP, File)
In addition to cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco, e-cigaretts are also in use. (Pixabay.com)

QUIZ: How much do you know about tobacco?

May 31 has been designated as World No Tobacco Day by the World Health Organization. Are you ready?

In addition to cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco, e-cigaretts are also in use. (Pixabay.com)
In addition to cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco, e-cigaretts are also in use. (Pixabay.com)

QUIZ: How much do you know about tobacco?

May 31 has been designated as World No Tobacco Day by the World Health Organization. Are you ready?

In addition to cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco, e-cigaretts are also in use. (Pixabay.com)
Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addresses delegates during the first day of the 75th World Health Assembly at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Sunday, May 22, 2022. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)

WHO chief: COVID pandemic is ‘most certainly not over’

‘We lower our guard at our peril’

Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addresses delegates during the first day of the 75th World Health Assembly at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Sunday, May 22, 2022. (Salvatore Di Nolfi/Keystone via AP)
Spallanzani infectious disease hospital director Francesco Vaia talks to reporters during a press conference, in Rome, Friday, May 20, 2022. Vaia said that three cases of monkeypox have been confirmed and isolated at the Spallanzani hospital in two patients who traveled to the Canary islands, and one to Vienna. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

African scientists baffled by monkeypox cases in Europe, US

France, Germany, Belgium and Australia confirmed their first cases of monkeypox on Friday

Spallanzani infectious disease hospital director Francesco Vaia talks to reporters during a press conference, in Rome, Friday, May 20, 2022. Vaia said that three cases of monkeypox have been confirmed and isolated at the Spallanzani hospital in two patients who traveled to the Canary islands, and one to Vienna. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)