Category Archives: Prairies/BC
Saskatchewan considers revising public health order after premier gets COVID-19
REGINA — Saskatchewan's chief medical health officer says he's considering whether to revise the province's public health order on masks in light of Premier Scott Moe testing positive for COVID-19 after a news conference. Dr. Saqib Shahab says he has f...
N.W.T. urges residents to follow public health orders as cases climb over 1,000
YELLOWKNIFE — The Northwest Territories says it will not order a lockdown in communities with COVID-19 outbreaks as it did during previous waves of the virus. There was a record 1,072 active cases of COVID-19 in the territory as of Tuesday,
‘We have to shift:’ Manitoba moves from COVID containment to mitigation, vaccinations
WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government said Wednesday everyone in the province will likely be exposed to COVID-19 in the coming weeks and the province's effort is shifting away from trying to contain its spread. "COVID-19 is no longer an emerging illness.
B.C. gyms, bars, lounges ordered closed due to COVID-19 can apply for relief grants
VICTORIA — Businesses ordered to close last month because of public health measures in British Columbia to limit the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 Omicron variant can now apply for provincial relief grants of up to $10,000. More than
Alberta premier says he won’t follow Quebec plan to levy fee on COVID-19 unvaccinated
EDMONTON — Premier Jason Kenney says Alberta will not be following Quebec's plan to impose a financial penalty on those who refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Kenney says data shows the unvaccinated are proving to be a vastly greater burden
‘Virtually no benefit’: Saskatchewan premier says COVID-19 lockdowns harm communities
REGINA — Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says he will not impose additional measures to try to limit the spread of COVID-19 despite the province bracing for increased pressure on health care due to the Omicron variant. "Lockdown policies can cause harm
Saskatchewan schools take on contact tracing once done by health-care workers
REGINA — As a registered nurse and COVID-19 case investigator in Saskatchewan, Carolyn Strom says she is no longer allowed to reach out to schools. During previous waves of the pandemic, it was her responsibility to contact-trace positive cases in stud...
Alberta unions call for circuit-breaker COVID-19 lockdown but Premier Kenney says no
EDMONTON — The leaders of Alberta's largest public and private sector unions are calling for drastic lockdown measures immediately to fight the spiralling COVID-19 Omicron variant. The leaders are calling for no in-person service at restaurants and bar...
Two B.C. schools move to ‘functional closure’ after holiday break, says ministry
VICTORIA — Two schools have stopped in-person classes in British Columbia, just two days after most students returned to classrooms following an extended holiday break due to the surging COVID-19 Omicron variant. The Education Ministry said Tuesday sch...
Top doctor says B.C.’s latest wave of COVID-19 to drag on for weeks
VICTORIA — British Columbia's provincial health officer says the current wave of COVID-19 infections is expected to continue for several more weeks based on the experience of other jurisdictions, though she expects more treatment options to be approved...