Category Archives: Health

Health

From the frying pan to the fire: viral heat in Nelson still turned up but on a different channel

By Timothy Schafer, The Nelson Daily, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The song might remain the same but the tune has changed as COVID-19 cases decrease in Nelson and area but another fall virus is making its way through the population.

Although the number of COVID-19 cases has been on the decline, infection rates remain high with other respiratory viruses like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

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Health

‘Walk With Me’ returns to Campbell River

‘Walk With Me’ returns to Campbell River on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. Participants will sit in a circle, while the organizers describe the project and explain the context of the stories they are about to hear. They will then proceed to the walk, listening to a 40-minute-long audio on a headset. (There are static options for people with mobility issues.) After the walk is over, everyone will return to Spirit Square and reflect upon what they heard. 

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Health

‘It’s a broken system that needs fixing,’ say emergency responders about B.C.’s rural paramedic shortages

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On 11 days this summer and early fall, Quadra Island had no local paramedics available for emergency medical calls, data from the emergency responders’ union shows.

The ferry-dependent community of 2,700 residents has acute staff shortages, as do many rural communities in B.C. On Quadra, three of four permanent part-time paramedic positions are vacant, Cindy Leong, a spokesperson for BC Emergency Health Services, wrote in an email.

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Cost of Climate Change, Fire, Health

Wildfires affect air quality, impacting schools on Vancouver Island

By Melissa Renwick, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As the heat of the summer extends into October there has been a prolonged forest fire season. As of Oct. 18, the province has 201 active fires with six having started in the previous two days.

Though two of the four fires in the Port Alberni area are no longer burning, four in Strathcona, and four between Gold River and Zeballos remain.

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Cost of Climate Change, Health

Quadra Circle receives $25,000 Emergency Preparedness Grant

United Way British Columbia awarded an Emergency Preparedness and Response grant of $25,000 to Quadra Circle.

“We’re pretty excited about it. We are a group of various social service and community organizations on Quadra,” said Maureen McDowell, President of Quadra Circle.

Quadra Circle’s ‘Better at Home Program,’ the Quadra Island Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program (NEPP), Quadra Island Seniors Housing, Quadra Legion Branch 154, Quadra ICAN, Old Age Pensioners and the Quadra Island Medical Clinic are all involved.

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