165 British Columbians lost to toxic drug supply in March 2022
Toxic drugs have claimed the lives of more than 150 British Columbians for the 18th consecutive month, according to the latest preliminary data released by the BC Coroners Service. “It is encouraging to see a decrease in the number of lives lost in February and March relative to previous months, but we know the illicit drug...
IHA warns of toxic algae blooms
Spring is here and the warmer weather means algae can start growing in your favorite lake and may form a bloom. Algae are a natural part of the aquatic ecosystems of lakes and algae blooms can occur throughout the Interior Health region. Blue-green algae or Cyanobacteria can produce several types of toxins that can be poisonous...
BC PharmaCare provides new, expanded coverage
Thousands of people in B.C. will benefit from BC PharmaCare’s new and expanded coverage of medications for ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, severe hypoglycemia, migraines, the treatment of low white blood cell levels, multiple sclerosis, heart failure, and birth control. Effective April 12, 2022, vedolizumab (Entyvio),...
More than 9,400 British Columbians lost to toxic illicit drugs since 2016
Preliminary data released by the BC Coroners Service reveals that the toxic drug supply has claimed the lives of 9,410 British Columbians since January 2016, and that at least 174 lives were lost in the month of February 2022. “As we approach the sixth anniversary of the declaration of the public-health emergency into...
B.C. shifts to weekly COVID-19 data reporting
As British Columbia continues to take the next step in its COVID-19 response, the Province is transitioning from daily to weekly COVID-19 reporting. Beginning on Thursday, April 7, 2022, COVID-19 dashboards and reports issued by the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control will be updated on weekly basis...
Let’s talk about ticks
Spring is here and the warmer weather means more people will be out hiking in tall grass or wooded areas which can also mean an increased chance of getting tick bites. Ticks are small bugs that bite and feed on the blood of humans and animals and can sometimes transmit disease. Fortunately, there are precautions people can ...
B.C.'s Human Rights Commissioner urges Public Health Officer to maintain mask mandates
Many students across B.C. returned to school this week amid a pandemic that has not ended, but without the protection offered by mask mandates. On March 16, 2022, B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner urged the Public Health Officer (PHO) to maintain the mask mandate to ensure protection for all. In her letter to the PHO, Kasari...
Rapid tests for people 18+ available at pharmacies
Starting Wednesday, March 23, 2022, rapid antigen test kits will be available to people aged 18 years and older through community pharmacies. Eligible individuals can pick up one kit of five tests every 28 days from participating pharmacies at no cost. Individuals must present their personal health number when picking up the...
Special OP/ED Series; Health care workers talk climate change
I am a neurologist working in Nelson. I talked to a man this summer to review his Parkinson's disease. He was not doing well. Usually he did not have any history of depression but he was lacking his usual motivation. He lived in a remote area and had lived there on a small remote property with a stream running through it for...
New locations for COVID-19 vaccine clinics in the Interior
As COVID-19 vaccination rates continue to increase, Interior Health (IH) plans to streamline its immunization campaign with new clinic locations. Over the coming weeks, the COVID-19 vaccine appointments will move from mass immunization clinics to pharmacies and IH health centres. “Together with our community partners, we...
