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- Oct 2 - New COVID boosters start next week
Oct 2 - New COVID boosters start next week
Masks back at care facilities. Seal vs. octopus. Major Douglas St. closures soon.
Capital Daily team
October 02, 2023
Good morning !
Health is one of the biggest issues to talk about in our region, and today we have three stories touching on it: the return of BC’s COVID shots (and some of its anti-transmission measures), the latest report on disparity in care facilities, and new funding for biomedical projects at UVic.
— Cam
Have you noticed more illness going around now that we're into fall? |
Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10). Current smoke forecast.
🚘️ Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
NEWS
BC will launch new COVID booster program next week
Photo: Province of BC
Several COVID measures are returning to BC as the province told the public to expect for fall, back when it lessened some measures in the spring. The most recent BC CDC reports indicate a rise in COVID from a low in July to now closer to the spring / winter numbers seen in early 2023.
The province announced Thursday that it would begin general vaccination eligibility on Oct. 10, with early access given to the populations most at risk of illness or complications. That includes people who are 65+, Indigenous, pregnant, care home residents, health workers, or those who have chronic health conditions (e.g., cancer, HIV, hepatitis C, diabetes).
As of Oct. 10 bookings will be automatically offered, in waves, to people already previously registered for vaccination, with locations at pharmacies, some clinics, and some doctor offices. COVID and flu shots can be done together.
Updated boosters headed to BC following approval
Health Canada has been approving new vaccines that target the XBB 1.5 variant: the updated Moderna was approved in early Sept., the Pfizer last week, and the province expects the Novavax will be approved soon. BC has ordered 2.8M new boosters for COVID and 2.3M for the flu.
Masking back for health facilities
Starting tomorrow, Oct. 3, at least a medical mask will be required for “any health-care workers, volunteers, contractors, and visitors in patient care areas,” and long-term care visitors must mask in common areas and during any group activities.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Today’s Victoria road work includes segments of Cook, Fort, Pandora, Prior, and Yates. [Full list]
This week’s weather: Some rain today, then back up to 20+ and sunny later in week.
Douglas southbound lanes will close as of Oct. 4 (Weds) from Hillside to Bay for 24/7 underground utility work. Northbound lanes will be open.
Hwy 14 was closed briefly on Sunday near Jordan River, then reopened with delays.
NEWS
BC’s for-profit LTC homes are investing less in patient care, seniors advocate reports
Photoillustration by Dash Dixon / Capital Daily (2020)
Non-profit long-term care (LTC) facilities are spending more money on caring for their patients than for-profit facilities, BC’s seniors advocate says.
A report released last week examined financial reports for more than 90% of BC’s subsidized, contracted long-term care facilities between 2017/18 and 2021/22—and it shows that the amount of money spent on care is not equal to the rising profits, especially at for-profit facilities.
Not-for-profit facilities spent comparatively more on direct care of patients than for-profits did. They also delivered more hours of direct care than they were funded to offer, while for-profits delivered fewer.
NEWS
New funding for UVic projects looking at healing human body
Photo: UVic
Innovate BC just gave nearly $1.4M to five BC research and development projects in natural resources and applied sciences, through its Ignite program.
Two hail from Victoria, and both are focused on finding new ways to analyze and help heal the human body, working at the tissue and cell level.
VoxCell BioInnovation and Dr. Alexandre Brolo of UVic received $300,000 (the maximum amount) to develop fully vascularized, human-like cancer tissue models. They do this by combining a custom high-resolution 3D bioprinter, advanced vascularized software, and proprietary bio-inks (a substance used to produce artificial tissue).
RepliCel Life Sciences and Dr. Mohsen Akbari of UVic were awarded $165,000 to develop smart micro-carriers for high-density culture of therapeutic cells, without the use of enzymes.
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⭐️ Capital Picks
🦭🐙 Seal vs. octopus: An Oak Bay seal shows off an impressive catch that is almost as big as it is. [Video]
🎵 A new cover of Neil Young’s “Unknown Legend” by part-time Victoria resident Bella White, a touring folk-country-bluegrass singer. [Song]
Young himself made a rare appearance this year at a Victoria old growth rally.
🏡 Recently sold single family homes: View all the recently sold homes in Victoria. View the sale prices, photos, and more. (Registration Required)*
🍔 Victoria’s best burgers: The top 3 burger joints that readers like you voted on for Tasting Victoria’s 2023 awards.
🦃 Thanksgiving feast ready? The Root Cellar is the place for all your Thanksgiving feasting essentials – Reserve your Thanksgiving turkey NOW! Learn more at TheRootCellar.ca*
🤝 Now hiring: Part Time Cooks at Rose Bank Gardens
*Sponsored Listing
🗞️ In Other News
Facebook Marketplace fraud warning for Westshore
RCMP say that locals are being asked for deposits in order to reserve second-hand items being sold, but are never given the item or their deposit back.
UVic soccer ends UBC’s undefeated streak
The Vikes women (6-3-2) beat UBC (now 9-1-0) on the weekend 2-0. It was their fourth straight recent shutout, but first win over UBC since 2019. UVic’s men’s soccer (7-1-2) and field hockey (3-1-2) teams both also shut out their opponents twice over the weekend.
The Flowerman wants Islanders to pay joy forward
Comox Valley’s J.D. Ludlow says his unfulfilling life was transformed when he started leaving flowers for people to take from his ‘66 Mustang. He set up a Facebook group for stories of how those people pay it forward, as the car’s sign directs. [CTV]
New welcome pole at former Snuneymuxw village site
The pole at the former Xwtaluwnuc site and current-day elementary school was carved by celebrated artist Noel Brown. [Nanaimo News Now]
🗓️ Things to do
🐐 Beacon Hill Children’s Farm open for one more week. The famous goat stampedes are at 10:10am and 4:10pm under fall hours.
🖌️ Free days at the Art Gallery: The AGGV is currently doing free days on Thursday evenings, and on the first Saturday of the month, as well as by-donation entry on the first Tuesday (both of those are this week).
🌿 Native Plant Garden Tour at the Royal BC Museum this Tuesday and Thursday.
🛢️ Cafe Scientifique: This week the UVic-affiliated academic series at Hermann’s Jazz looks at oil as a historical force in the 20th century. Weds 7-9pm (doors 5:30pm), in person & online.
👀 In Case You Missed It
Teen drowns in Thetis Lake, in the park’s second death in as many months. Also in Sunday’s newsletter: an update on Saanich’s contentious new dog-leashing policies for parks.
South Island Powwow: A ring of orange in Royal Athletic. [Colin Smith photo]
Whale vs whale: Humpbacks and orcas bickered near Nanaimo in a chase caught partly on video. [Times Colonist]
Watch a sea star walk along a rock in this sped-up video from Galiano.
Man wanted Canada-wide remains at large: Milad Herbert, 32, was last seen in downtown Victoria last Tuesday.
Pacific FC stymied as younger sibling Vancouver FC wins their last matchup of this season, led by ex-PFC player Callum Irving. [Game highlights]
Friday’s headlines: CRD floats more pay parking at parks; VIU ends ElderCollege support; flash mob at Uptown. [Sept. 29]
Saturday’s headlines: The origin of Victoria’s Orange Shirt Day. Local author wins award. Kidney donor saves stranger. Downtown cafe bids farewell. [Sept. 30]
That’s it!
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