Island Health

Island Health is encouraging residents to learn about and carry Naloxone to help prevent fatal overdoses. (Black Press Media file photo)

Drug poisoning and overdose advisory issued for Greater Victoria

Island Health warns of increased risk from injecting, inhaling drugs

 

Staffing challenges driven by Omicron cases numbers have significantly impacted the ability of Island Health to provide safe, quality care, health authority president Kathy McNeil said. (Black Press Media file photo)

Omicron-driven staffing shortages lead to service interruptions in Island Health facilities

Elective scheduled surgeries postponed again, psychiatric emergency care potentially affected

 

Four residents have tested positive for COVID-19 at Veterans Memorial Lodge in Saanich as of Jan. 18. (Google Maps)

Island Health declares 3 new Greater Victoria care home outbreaks, 2 others over

New outbreaks at Veterans Memorial Lodge, Sunset Lodge and Sidney Care Home

 

Victoria’s Royal Jubilee Hospital is one of five sites to have newly declared COVID outbreaks, according to Island Health. (Black Press Media file photo)

Five new COVID outbreaks declared by Island Health

The health authority also announced three previous outbreaks had ended on Saturday

Victoria’s Royal Jubilee Hospital is one of five sites to have newly declared COVID outbreaks, according to Island Health. (Black Press Media file photo)
Dr. Richard Stanwick speaks inside the new vaccine clinic at Archie Browning Sports Centre on Jan. 6. His retirement as Island Health chief medical health officer has been delayed by a month in the face of unprecedented COVID-19 cases. (Black Press Media file photo)

Island Health’s top doc delays retirement, citing Omicron wave

Chief medical health officer Dr. Richard Stanwick to remain in role until Jan. 31

Dr. Richard Stanwick speaks inside the new vaccine clinic at Archie Browning Sports Centre on Jan. 6. His retirement as Island Health chief medical health officer has been delayed by a month in the face of unprecedented COVID-19 cases. (Black Press Media file photo)
Island Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Clover Point Care long-term care home in Victoria. (Google StreetView)

New COVID outbreak declared at Victoria long-term home

More cases also announced at Victoria and Nanaimo facilities with existing outbreaks

Island Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Clover Point Care long-term care home in Victoria. (Google StreetView)
Shelley Robinson says a lack of callback for a COVID-19 PCR test appointment from Island Health has left her feeling scared and unsupported. (Courtesy of Shelley Robinson)

Langford woman with cystic fibrosis critical of Island’s COVID testing process

No callback for PCR test appoinment after five days, despite vulnerable health status

Shelley Robinson says a lack of callback for a COVID-19 PCR test appointment from Island Health has left her feeling scared and unsupported. (Courtesy of Shelley Robinson)
Rapid COVID-19 tests are now being offered at various sites throughout Island Health with an appointment. (Black Press Media file photo)

New COVID test booking system causing confusion for Vancouver Island residents

Rapid tests being offered, PCR may be an option

Rapid COVID-19 tests are now being offered at various sites throughout Island Health with an appointment. (Black Press Media file photo)
Island Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak limited to two rooms at Victoria General Hospital. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

COVID outbreak declared at Victoria General Hospital

Island Health said Friday the outbreak is limited to two rooms and two paitents have tested positive

Island Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak limited to two rooms at Victoria General Hospital. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
A COVID-19 testing centre in Victoria, pictured in October. In a new change, residents who miss calls from Island Health’s COVID booking centre will no longer be contacted again to schedule a test. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press Media)

Island Health halts second calls for COVID test booking, cites ‘unprecedented demand’

Call centre employees would previously contact residents a second time to book virus test

A COVID-19 testing centre in Victoria, pictured in October. In a new change, residents who miss calls from Island Health’s COVID booking centre will no longer be contacted again to schedule a test. (Tom Fletcher/Black Press Media)
The playground at Wishart Elementary School taped off during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)

COVID-19 exposures in 15 more Greater Victoria schools as provincial daily counts surge

In total, 25 Greater Victoria schools dealing with known COVID-19 cases

The playground at Wishart Elementary School taped off during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)
The number of Greater Victoria schools hit with COVID-19 cases is on the rise ahead of Christmas holidays. (Black Press Media file photo)

3 Greater Victoria schools hit with new COVID cases

James Bay Community School, John Stubbs Memorial Elementary, Maria Montessori Academy impacted

The number of Greater Victoria schools hit with COVID-19 cases is on the rise ahead of Christmas holidays. (Black Press Media file photo)
At least one COVID-19 case has been confirmed at Tillicum Elementary School in December. (Photo courtesy of Tillicum Elementary School)

COVID-19 found at 3 more Greater Victoria schools

Ecole Marigold, Tillicum Elementary, South Park Family School hit with new cases

At least one COVID-19 case has been confirmed at Tillicum Elementary School in December. (Photo courtesy of Tillicum Elementary School)
Sara Maksymowicz worries about the effect of cuts to non-emergency care on the South Island for adults facing eating disorders. (Courtesy Sara Maksymowicz)

‘A system of failures:’ South Vancouver Island adult eating disorder services quietly removed

Non-emergency resources have been a lifeline for Greater Victoria residents

Sara Maksymowicz worries about the effect of cuts to non-emergency care on the South Island for adults facing eating disorders. (Courtesy Sara Maksymowicz)
The Omicron variant has been identified in a COVID-19 cluster associated with University of Victoria students. (Photo courtesy of UVic)

University of Victoria COVID-19 cluster grows to 124; four cases so far listed as Omicron variant

University moved all fall semester exams online Sunday amid rising case numbers

The Omicron variant has been identified in a COVID-19 cluster associated with University of Victoria students. (Photo courtesy of UVic)
Spencer Middle School in Langford is one of 12 schools in Greater Victoria dealing with COVID-19 exposures. (Black Press Media file photo)

6 Greater Victoria schools hit with new COVID-19 cases

Total of 12 schools in region with known cases

Spencer Middle School in Langford is one of 12 schools in Greater Victoria dealing with COVID-19 exposures. (Black Press Media file photo)
Floor signs at Belmont Secondary School instruct students to stay six feet apart. (Black Press Media file photo)

COVID-19 cases reported at 2 Greater Victoria schools

Belmont Secondary School, Oxford Learning tutoring service impacted

Floor signs at Belmont Secondary School instruct students to stay six feet apart. (Black Press Media file photo)
A new mail-in program initiated by the University of Victoria allows Vancouver Island drug users in centres without drug-testing facilities to send in samples to be rapid-tested for toxic substances. (Photo courtesy Vancouver Island University)

Vancouver Islanders can now have opioids, other drugs lab-checked by mail

UVic-led drug checking project provides anonymous online results within a day of receiving sample

A new mail-in program initiated by the University of Victoria allows Vancouver Island drug users in centres without drug-testing facilities to send in samples to be rapid-tested for toxic substances. (Photo courtesy Vancouver Island University)
Students at Greater Victoria schools continue to face new cases of COVID-19. (Black Press Media file photo)

2 Greater Victoria schools facing new COVID-19 exposures

Eagle View Elementary, Shoreline Community Middle School impacted

Students at Greater Victoria schools continue to face new cases of COVID-19. (Black Press Media file photo)
At least one case of COVID-19 has been detected at George Jay Elementary in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

COVID-19 reported at three Greater Victoria schools

Total of 11 schools dealing with known cases

At least one case of COVID-19 has been detected at George Jay Elementary in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)