More COVID-19 outbreaks at B.C. health-care facilities as visitor restrictions take effect
The Omicron-variant-fuelled fifth wave of COVID-19 has started 2022 the same way it ended 2021: with a growing number of outbreaks at health-care facilities in B.C.
Vancouver Coastal Health announced two new outbreaks on New Year's Day and provided additional details on a third that had been made public on New Year's Eve.
The two new outbreaks are at Lakeview Long Term Care Home in Vancouver and the Joseph & Rosalie Segal & Family Health Centre at Vancouver General Hospital.
Ten residents at Lakeview's "2 South" unit have tested positive for the coronavirus, as have two residents on the fifth floor of Segal centre, according to the health authority.
Additionally, four residents on the second floor of Kopernik Lodge in Vancouver have tested positive, according to Vancouver Coastal Health.
The Kopernik Lodge outbreak was included among the 15 active COVID-19 outbreaks listed in the provincial government's last pandemic update of 2021 on Friday. The Lakeview and Segal centre outbreaks were not. Nor was an outbreak at general medicine unit 4B at Victoria General Hospital, which Island Health announced late Friday night.
The latest outbreak declarations mean there are at least 18 ongoing outbreaks in health-care facilities around the province.
As recently as Dec. 24, there were just two active outbreaks in B.C.
The recent surge in infections among long-term care residents prompted provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry to reintroduce visitor restrictions at such facilities until at least Jan. 18.
"We need to decrease the numbers of people coming into our long-term care homes so we can best protect the seniors and elders ... and ensure that workers in those settings are able to manage and cope," Henry said while announcing the new rules on Friday.
Vancouver Coastal Health said it has suspended group activities and paused visitation at both Kopernik and Lakeview.
The fifth floor of the Segal centre has been closed to new admissions and transfers, and all non-essential visits have been suspended, the health authority said, adding that it has implemented "strict infection prevention and control protocols" at all three locations.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Andrew Weichel
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a ploy to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Vancouver Island
-
Police release details about suspect vehicle after fatal B.C. hit-and-run crash
Mounties searching for a driver who struck and killed a woman on Vancouver Island last week released new details about the suspect vehicle Monday.
-
Director of B.C. massage school must pay $12K after asking client to 'certify' he's not Muslim
The director of a B.C. massage school has been ordered to pay thousands of dollars for discriminatory comments she made to a Muslim man who wanted to book a treatment.
-
'Trying not to die': Tourism operators face heavy debt, even as business roars back
Tourism has come roaring back from pandemic lows, but operators say the sector has yet to reach pre-COVID levels and debt remains a hefty burden for thousands of small businesses across the country.
Kelowna
-
Homicide investigation underway after body found near Kelowna, B.C.
Major crime detectives in British Columbia are investigating a suspected homicide after a body was found in a remote area southeast Kelowna over the weekend.
-
Stolen snake named Milkshake returned to Kelowna pet store
A banana ball python that was stolen from a Kelowna pet store on Saturday has been returned unharmed, Mounties said.
-
Nurses rally at B.C. Interior hospital over security, staffing concerns
Nurses held a rally Wednesday at a hospital in the B.C. Interior that closed its emergency department more than a dozen times last year due to insufficient staff.
Edmonton
-
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
-
Hyman, McDavid lead Oilers to 7-4 playoff win over Kings
For once the Edmonton Oilers won’t have to dig themselves out of a hole to start the NHL playoffs.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Josh Classen's forecast: Highs near 20 C today and Wednesday
Warmer-than-average temperatures continue across much of the province with afternoon highs in the 15 to 20 C range in most areas.
Calgary
-
Residential school survivor leads class-action lawsuit against Catholic Church, priest
Monday, a judge ruled a proposed class-action lawsuit can go forward despite efforts from lawyers representing the archdiocese of Edmonton and a religious order to have it struck down.
-
Fire crews extinguish shed fire at northwest Calgary home
No one was injured after a shed fire at a home in northwest Calgary on Monday night.
-
Suspect in deadly Calgary shooting has 'Edmonton ties': police
Calgary police have released a photo of a man wanted after a deadly shooting in the community of Shawnessy last month.
Lethbridge
-
Lethbridge green cart program a success one year in, city says
The City of Lethbridge is calling the first year of its curbside organics waste collection program a success.
-
Coaldale RCMP seek information on hit-and-run
Coaldale RCMP are looking for the public's help to locate a suspect in a hit-and-run in a McDonald's parking lot earlier this month.
-
Deal to protect ranch from development means family can keep raising cattle there
An agreement to protect a sprawling ranch in southern Alberta from development is the largest of its kind in the country, the Nature Conservancy of Canada says, and will allow the family that owns it to continue raising cattle there.
Winnipeg
-
'Never seen this before': Homes in Manitoba community damaged by ice wall
Homeowners in a Manitoba community are cleaning up after being impacted by a natural phenomenon last week.
-
'It's bittersweet': Popular St. Boniface restaurant set to close its doors
Marion Street Eatery is set to close its doors for good after over a decade serving up steaming plates of eggs benedict, grilled cheese and brisket hash.
-
Manitoba could soon end ban of growing recreational cannabis at home
People in Manitoba could soon be able to grow recreational cannabis in their homes.
Regina
-
One year after fatal collision, Regina council has final say on lower speed limit in Cathedral
Regina city councillors are set to consider lowering the speed limit in the Cathedral neighbourhood to 30 kilometres per hour on Wednesday.
-
Sask. NDP leader combats claims of carbon tax support following Ottawa visit
Members of the Sask. Party claim a recent trip by the leader of the opposition reveals her party's secret support for the federal carbon tax.
-
Sask. NDP call for education minister's firing, premier reconfirms confidence
The Saskatchewan NDP are calling for the resignation or firing of Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill, saying he lied about apologizing for comments he made to a mother whose daughter died.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. broker says halal mortgages are not a new concept in Canada
A Saskatoon mortgage broker says the federal government’s move to help Muslim Canadians get into the housing market by promoting halal mortgages is not such a radical idea — it’s helping families buy their first home without breaking their faith.
-
Sask. driver caught using vice grips in place of steering wheel
A driver caught using vice grips in place of a steering wheel was ticketed Wednesday after being stopped by police on a rural road.
-
Saskatchewan Rush look to 'better mentality next year' as they miss playoffs again
The Saskatchewan Rush are absent from the National Lacrosse League playoffs for a third straight season, a difficult end to an postseason push born out of a rocky start.
Toronto
-
Less than half of Canadians say they will buy an electric vehicle as their next car: survey
A recent survey shows not all Canadians are ready to make the switch to an electric vehicle as they have concerns about charging stations, cold weather and battery life.
-
GoFundMe for Zameer family debts raises nearly $150k since acquittal
A fundraiser meant to help Umar Zameer’s family pay their debts following a three-year prosecution has amassed nearly $150,000 in donations in the two days since the Brampton accountant was acquitted of first-degree murder in the death of a Toronto police officer.
-
Marineland transitioning to new ownership ahead of 2024 season
Marineland is transitioning to new ownership ahead of its 2024 season, the park has confirmed
Montreal
-
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a ploy to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
-
Five more Quebec hospitals to offer at-home care services
Over the next few months, Quebec is expected to roll out home care services in five hospitals as part of a measure to allow patients to receive treatment at home while under the supervision of a medical team.
-
Thieves allegedly attempt to steal thousands of litres of gasoline in Brossard
Two thieves allegedly attempted to steal 'thousands' of litres of gasoline from a Brossard service station.
Ottawa
-
3 children injured after truck and school bus collide in Russell, Ont.
Three children and a driver were taken to hospital after a school bus and a truck collided on Route 400 in Russell, Ont.
-
OPP uses spike belt to stop stolen vehicle on Hwy. 401 in eastern Ontario
An Ottawa man is facing charges after Ontario Provincial Police used a spike belt to stop the driver of a stolen vehicle on Highway 401 in eastern Ontario.
-
Claridge Homes proposes 'Landmark Building' in Ottawa's Centretown neighbourhood
An Ottawa developer has unveiled plans to build a 'Landmark Building', with a public space, in Ottawa's Centretown neighbourhood, across the street from the Canadian Museum of Nature.
Atlantic
-
People on Halifax Peninsula told to close windows following structure fire
People living on the Halifax Peninsula are being told to close their windows and shut off their air exchangers following a structure fire in the north end of the city Tuesday morning.
-
Youth dead, two suspects in custody following incident near Halifax Shopping Centre: police
A male youth has died after an incident near the Halifax Shopping Centre on Monday.
-
P.E.I. woman dies following head-on crash in Upper Nappan: N.S. RCMP
The RCMP says a one woman has died and another has been seriously injured following a head-on crash in Upper Nappan, N.S.
London
-
Car fire on Highway 401 sends one person to hospital
The Dutton/Dunwich Fire Department responded to the scene near mile marker 142 between Currie Road and Iona Road, after the vehicle caught fire.
-
Byron’s colony of rare bank swallows facing new threat
Council is be urged to ensure that a plan to redevelop the Byron Gravel Pit also maintains a summer home for its long-time residents — a colony of bank swallows.
-
Missing Clinton man with Down syndrome found by 'Project Lifesaver'
Brian Gray-Hicks likes to be active, and goes for daily walks near his home in Clinton.
Kitchener
-
DEVELOPINGDEVELOPING Businesses evacuated, roads closed in Guelph
Police have shut down three roads in Guelph’s north end after a suspicious package was found in the area.
-
Serious collision in Kitchener leads to critical injuries
Ornge Air Ambulance says one person has critical injuries after a serious crash in the area of Fischer Hallman Road and Victoria Street South in Kitchener.
-
Man knows who has stolen laptop but can't get it back
A Kitchener man who forgot his laptop on a bus in January says he’s now being asked to pay $750 to get it back from whoever has the device.
Northern Ontario
-
Mobility scooter burst into flames in northern Ontario
It was a scary sight in northern Ontario Monday morning after an electric mobility scooter caught on fire.
-
Man responsible for northern Ont. crash that killed woman days before her wedding fined $5K
It was a sad scene at Tom Davies Square in Sudbury on Monday morning, where a man was being sentenced for a crash that killed a North Bay woman who was driving to her wedding shower.
-
Inspection blitz takes 130 CMVs off the road, northern Ont. police say
Hundreds of drivers were charged in a recent three-day commercial motor vehicle blitz conducted by the Ontario Provincial Police and Ministry of Transportation.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland director found creeping terror of 'The King Tide' in a tiny coastal town
Newfoundlander Christian Sparkes has shot several films around his home province, but with his new psychological thriller 'The King Tide' he saw an opportunity to wander into one unique town that had eluded him over the years.
-
2 people dead, 4 others make it to shore after vessel capsizes in Newfoundland
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans says two people were found dead and four others survived after a boat capsized off the west coast of Newfoundland.
-
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.
