More than 100,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered throughout Interior Health
Interior Health administered its first dose of COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 22, 2020, and in three months 101,156 doses have been delivered throughout the Interior. “I am so proud of our teams who have simultaneously kept their focus on contact tracing and supporting people in self-isolation to slow the spread of COVID-19 while...
BC Coroners Service reports deaths caused by toxic illicit drug supply continue to surge
Figures released by the British Columbia Coroners Service identify 155 suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths in February, the 11th consecutive month in which the province has recorded more than 100 lives lost. "The number of deaths due to toxic illicit drugs in February highlights the ongoing critical risk to public health...
New COVID-19 cases rise to 1,785 in BC, including 16 related deaths
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the COVID-19 response in British Columbia: "Today, we are reporting on three periods: from March 19 to 20, we had 556 new cases, from March 20 to 21 we had 598 new cases and ...
IHA begins immunization of workers in high-risk locations as age cohorts
Interior Health said in a media release Monday, that it has commenced administering COVID-19 vaccine to workers in high-risk locations, including those at industrial work camps and congregate living settings. Additional supply of COVID-19 vaccine announced by the Province makes it possible to direct immunizations toward these...
Op/Ed: The case for transforming mental health, substance use programs in Penticton
Addiction is a complex health condition that can devastate people, families, and communities and Interior Health is working to address these challenges as the understanding of mental illnesses and substance use disorders continues to evolve. To step up and face addiction issues head on for people who experience mental health...
BCCDC map shows small increase in COVID-19 cases for Kootenay Region
According to the BC Center for Disease Control (BCCDC) Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Area of Case Residence map for the period of March 7-13, the Kootenay region of the province saw a small increase in new cases. The Boundary region shows now new cases of COVID-19. Leading the increase was Cranbrook with five...
LIVING HERE FEATURE: Check up on local medical professionals one year into pandemic
Dr. Kyle Merritt is what you call a busy person. He works part-time in the emergency department at Kootenay Lake Hospital in Nelson, British Columbia, where he happens to be the current department head. Kyle also has a group practice. That means looking after patients in the clinic and hospital and long-term care settings. ...
BC records 1,506 new COVID-19 weekend cases; 80 in Interior Health region
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following joint statement regarding updates on the COVID-19 response in British Columbia: “Today, we are reporting on three periods. From March 12 to 13, we had 555 new cases. From March 13 to 14, we had 491 new cases and...
Gatherings up to 10 people in same group now allowed in BC
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer is easing Public Health Order in regards to gatherings, amending the order to allow for outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people in the same group. During Thursday media release, Dr. Henry said now that the days are getting warmer, and longer, it’s time to ease restrictions a ...
Interior Health opens COVID-19 vaccine bookings Monday
Interior Health will open up its call centre on Monday for seniors to book COVID-19 vaccine appointments. On Monday, seniors aged 90 and over, and Indigenous peoples aged 65 and over, can begin booking appointments by calling 1-877-740-7747. The call centre is open seven days per week, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Immunization...
