Tag Archives: Campbell River

Masks For Those Who Need Them Most

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Quadra Island quilter Terry Phillips is running a small but frenetic manufacturing assembly line in her bucolic rural community during the COVID-19 pandemic. When her sister-in-law Wendy Richardson issued a plea in mid-March for cloth masks to protect front-line social service workers on neighbouring Vancouver Island during the novel coronavirus crisis, Phillips turned to her fellow Quadra Island Quilters. The group, working in tandem with the Campbell River Friendship Quilters Guild, immediately established a cottage industry, revved up their sewing machines and churned out hundreds of masks for those who needed them most.

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BC Ferries On The Front Line

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Besides being on alert and feverishly working to stem the spread of germs, COVID-19 is cramping BC Ferries worker Helene Lepage’s style.

“I can’t sing at work anymore,” Lepage said with a wistful laugh. “I’m in theatre. And, no kidding, you can throw spit 25 feet away, easily, with a passionate soliloquy.”

The outgoing, gregarious terminal attendant on Quadra Island has had to rein it in during this new era of physical-distancing.

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COVID-19 at Campbell River retirement residence

Editor’s note: This is the second confirmed case of COVID-19 in Campbell River.

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A retirement home in the Vancouver Island community is under quarantine after a resident fell prey to the pandemic sweeping across the globe.

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March 23 COVID-19 Update

The most encouraging news item for the March 23 COVID-19 update comes from Vancouver, where local residents have embraced a new tradition. At 7 PM every night, they step outside, on their balconies, patios, rooftops, or sidewalks to applaud the city health care workers who are fighting the COVID 19 virus. This idea is believed to have originated in Europe, where the inhabitants of cities like Rome, Madrid, Paris, Athens and Amsterdam devote at least a minute every night to such pubic expressions of gratitude.

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COVID-19 News Update For March 17, 2020.

This is a COVID-19 news update for March 17, 2020. As of yesterday, there are 103 confirmed cases of COVID 19 in British Columbia. 8 of these are on Vancouver Island. The first was a Victoria. The seven most recent cases were reported yesterday. A Courtenay doctor confirmed that one of her patients is among them. While I have yet to see official confirmation, two sources have independently mentioned a case of COVID -19 in the Campbell River Hospital. 

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