News
January 12, 2022
B.C. COVID-19 pandemic update
As of Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, 88.9% (4,429,847) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 83.2% (4,148,538) have received their second dose.
January 12, 2022
Priorities for Improving Health in BC
In recent years, BC has faced emerging challenges for health, such as the spread of COVID-19 and a toxic illicit drug supply, while continuing to manage ongoing, systemic pressures, such as an aging demographic and timely access to care. In this context, UBC Health (in the Office of the Vice-President, Health at UBC) seeks your perspective on priorities for improving health and wellness in BC.
January 12, 2022
Update to Communicable Disease Control Manual, Chapter 1: Communicable Disease Control: COVID-19 Interim Guidelines and Chapter 2: Immunization, Part 4 – Biological Products
Chapter 1 Updates include the length of self-isolation for cases and close contacts, the definition of fully vaccinated, the incubation period for Omicron, the time frame for self-monitoring for close contacts and the list of high priority settings for contact tracing. Chapter 2 updated with information about timing of a booster dose for individuals who received a single dose Janssen vaccine for their primary series.
January 12, 2022
Island Health declares new COVID-19 outbreaks at long-term care homes; VGH outbreak declared over
On January 11th, Island Health declared two new COVID-19 outbreaks at long-term care homes. The outbreak at Victoria General Hospital is now over.
January 12, 2022
Finding inspiration during a pandemic
A number of inspirational quotes have mysteriously appeared on the temporary, white plastic wall that divides the ICU construction from the rest of the hospital at NRGH.
January 12, 2022
Protect ourselves and our communities – get a flu shot
Happy new year! As 2022 unfolds, we want to take this opportunity to encourage Island Health staff and medical staff to get their influenza shot if they haven't yet done so.
January 11, 2022
Pandemic Planning COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 hospitalizations are increasing across BC – and highlighted three patients in their 20s and one in their 30s who are in critical care – all unvaccinated. “The sum of it is: if you are vaccinated, you have less risk of infection, particularly after your booster. You are much more likely to have mild illness, to not need hospital care, to not need ICU care, and to not die from the virus.
January 11, 2022
B.C. COVID-19 pandemic update
As of Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, 88.8% (4,426,451) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 83.2% (4,146,540) have received their second dose.
January 11, 2022
Updated: Mask Policy
The Long-Term Care row of the Visitors section (page 3) has been updated regarding the use of medical-grade masks; information regarding unvaccinated essential visitors has been removed.
January 11, 2022
Island Health establishes three outpatient clinics to treat vulnerable COVID-19 patients
This week Island Health established three outpatient clinics to administer a new treatment for COVID-19 that was recently approved by Health Canada. The new drug, called Sotrovimab, was developed specifically for treating COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms who are at high risk for COVID-19 progression to hospitalization or death.