Coronavirus (COVID-19) Local News

It’s a dirty job, but somebody had to do it. So Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps stepped to the microphone Wednesday and reminded people to stop flushing disinfecting wipes down the toilet, because they’re clogging the sewage system.

Nanaimo’s Harmac Pacific mill is churning out a double order of pulp to fill an order for a U.S. customer who manufactures surgical equipment such as masks and gowns.

Nanaimo RCMP are warning the public of scammers spreading misinformation online about COVID-19 in order to obtain money and personal information.

B.C. has cleared hospital space for almost 4,000 possible COVID-19 patients, but potential shortages of personal protective equipment for health workers has become “our wicked problem,” provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Wednesday.

On the bright side, gas is down to $1.13. Now if only there were somewhere to go. Justine Etzkorn doesn’t worry about that. As a lighthouse keeper on the west coast of Vancouver Island, she only ventures into town, Victoria, a couple of times a year.

As the Rapid Relief Fund, launched to help those in need as a result of COVID-19, edges toward $1.3 million, it’s safe to say that this effort is without match anywhere else in Canada. It will soon be matched, however, in Greater Victoria.

A commentary by the public and government affairs director of the Salvation Army’s B.C. Division. In extraordinary times like this, primary concerns preoccupy our minds.

While local businesses struggle to survive, some are going the extra mile to help those who suddenly find themselves unable to put food on the table.

Some pharmacies are asking customers to avoid stockpiling medications as panic-buying during the COVID-19 pandemic leads to a tighter supply of some drugs.