COVID-19

The Splatsin community is in the midst of a COVID-19 outbreak as of Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. (File photo)

UPDATE: COVID-19 cases spike in Splatsin

24-37 test positive and self-isolating during current COVID-19 outbreak

 

Kelowna airport is streamlining COVID testing for international travelers (file photo)

Kelowna International Airport pre-flight PCR testing available at ski resorts

The Kelowna airport has partnered with local ski hills and medical services to facilitate international COVID testing

 

(Village at Smith Creek)

More than 40 cases of COVID-19 at West Kelowna senior care home

Four care homes are reporting COVID-19 outbreaks in the Kelowna area

 

A Jan. 19, 2022 Observer article on the suspected takeover attempt targeted at the board of Salmon Arm’s community radio station was reposted the day it went online on a BC Freedom Fighters mesaging channel. (Image from Canadian Vacccine Deaths and Adverse Reactions site)

‘Freedom Fighters’ tune into article on potential takeover of Voice of the Shuswap

Membership in Salmon Arm’s community radio station triples in comparison to the past 10 years

A Jan. 19, 2022 Observer article on the suspected takeover attempt targeted at the board of Salmon Arm’s community radio station was reposted the day it went online on a BC Freedom Fighters mesaging channel. (Image from Canadian Vacccine Deaths and Adverse Reactions site)
The Splatsin community is in the midst of a COVID-19 outbreak as of Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. (File photo)

COVID-19 cases in Splatsin triple in less than a week

Fifteen test positive, 49 in self-isolation during current COVID-19 outbreak

The Splatsin community is in the midst of a COVID-19 outbreak as of Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022. (File photo)
In this Tuesday, June 12, 2018, photo, trucks cross the Ambassador Bridge from Windsor, Ont. into Detroit. Turmoil and confusion last week over whether truckers would remain exempt from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate followed misinterpretations of regulations by both the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Paul Sancya

Public Health Agency of Canada involved in ‘error’ on trucker vaccine rules: sources

Government provided no more explanation for the botched messaging

In this Tuesday, June 12, 2018, photo, trucks cross the Ambassador Bridge from Windsor, Ont. into Detroit. Turmoil and confusion last week over whether truckers would remain exempt from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate followed misinterpretations of regulations by both the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Paul Sancya
(The Canadian Press/Tijana Martin)

Patients with COVID in Fraser Health may now share hospital rooms with uninfected

Public health officials say hospital space is at a premium

(The Canadian Press/Tijana Martin)
Kidston Elementary School

No functional closure yet as Vernon school reaches absentee threshold

Elementary school in Coldstream has 101 kids missing school

Kidston Elementary School
School District 83 superintendent Donna Kriger praised Armstrong Elementary School principal Corrinne Langston for doing a “tremendous job managing a very, very difficult situation.” A two-day functional closure due to a staffing shortage began on Friday, Jan. 14, and was extended the following week to Friday, Jan. 21. (File photo )

North Okanagan-Shuswap school trustees cautioned COVID-19 may push some schools online

Superintendent praises school district employees, calling them all ‘heroes’

School District 83 superintendent Donna Kriger praised Armstrong Elementary School principal Corrinne Langston for doing a “tremendous job managing a very, very difficult situation.” A two-day functional closure due to a staffing shortage began on Friday, Jan. 14, and was extended the following week to Friday, Jan. 21. (File photo )
Three side-by-side downtown Vernon businesses are for sale following a tough couple of years. (Realtor.ca photo)

3 neighbouring Vernon businesses put up for sale

2 restaurants and cheese shop right next to each other

Three side-by-side downtown Vernon businesses are for sale following a tough couple of years. (Realtor.ca photo)
Charmane Lazzarotto received the first dose of the COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in Kelowna on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020. (Interior Health photo)

Interior Health backs up Central Okanagan School District staff vaccination survey

Deadline for response from teachers, support staff extended to Jan. 25

Charmane Lazzarotto received the first dose of the COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in Kelowna on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020. (Interior Health photo)
(file photo)

EDITORIAL: Pandemic impact goes beyond numbers

Some jurisdictions, including British Columbia, have changed their testing policies

  • Jan 19, 2022
(file photo)
Rockets pause all hockey-related activities due to COVID-19 (photo - Kelowna Rockets)

Kelowna Rockets postpone games due to COVID-19

The Rockets, along with the Brandon Wheat Kings are both shutdown due to COVID outbreaks

Rockets pause all hockey-related activities due to COVID-19 (photo - Kelowna Rockets)
Village at Smith Creek in West Kelowna is among the latest health facility in the Okanagan to declare a COVID-19 outbreak. (Village at Smith Creek)

Interior Health reports new COVID-19 outbreaks at Okanagan health facilities

The outbreaks were declared at the facilities on Jan. 16

Village at Smith Creek in West Kelowna is among the latest health facility in the Okanagan to declare a COVID-19 outbreak. (Village at Smith Creek)
Interior Health has reported a COVID-19 outbreak at Mount Ida Mews in Salmon Arm. (File photo)

Interior Health reports COVID-19 outbreak at Salmon Arm long-term care home

Outbreak began Jan. 18

Interior Health has reported a COVID-19 outbreak at Mount Ida Mews in Salmon Arm. (File photo)
Interior Health has reported a COVID-19 outbreak at Mount Ida Mews in Salmon Arm. (Lachlan Labere/Salmon Arm Observer)

Interior Health reports COVID-19 outbreak at Salmon Arm long-term care home

Outbreak began Jan. 18

Interior Health has reported a COVID-19 outbreak at Mount Ida Mews in Salmon Arm. (Lachlan Labere/Salmon Arm Observer)
An influx of new memberships at CKVS, the Voice of the Shuswap community radio station, has the board suspecting an attempted ‘takeover’ of the station by people opposed to the way the pandemic is being handled. (File photo)

Membership jump for Salmon Arm community radio station seen as possible takeover

Voice of the Shuswap membership spike suspected from people disturbed by handling of pandemic

An influx of new memberships at CKVS, the Voice of the Shuswap community radio station, has the board suspecting an attempted ‘takeover’ of the station by people opposed to the way the pandemic is being handled. (File photo)
Interior Health announced Tuesday, Jan. 18, it is temporarily changing some services across the region, due to Omicron-related COVID-19 staffing challenges. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Interior Health making ‘temporary’ changes due to COVID-19 staffing challenges

IH is temporarily reassigning, redeploying staff to sustain essential services throughout the region

Interior Health announced Tuesday, Jan. 18, it is temporarily changing some services across the region, due to Omicron-related COVID-19 staffing challenges. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
More people are getting groceries delivered since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (Hananeko_Studio / Shutterstock)

UBCO study suggests COVID-19 pandemic has changed our grocery habits

Do you order groceries online or get food delivered?

More people are getting groceries delivered since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic (Hananeko_Studio / Shutterstock)
Iron Energy Gym is open in defiance of COVID-19 public health orders

West Kelowna gym one of dozens in B.C. flexing their muscles against COVID-19 restrictions

Iron Energy Gym in West Kelowna was fined and ordered shut down two weeks ago

Iron Energy Gym is open in defiance of COVID-19 public health orders