Residents of the Pavilion long-term care home in New Denver are now home following the lifting of a local evacuation alert and the re-opening of Highway 6. Residents were moved to alternate locations on July 25 due to risks associated with the Slocan Complex fire. Interior Health would like to thank all partners involved for […]

Nakusp and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at Arrow Lakes Hospital due to limited availability of nursing staff. Emergency department services will be unavailable from 10 p.m. on Sunday, August 11 to 7 a.m. on Monday, August 12. Patients can access emergency care at Queen Victoria Hospital in Revelstoke or at Kootenay Lake Hospital in […]

With high temperatures during the day and overnight, Castlegar’s cooling spaces will be open July 20-22, 2024 at four locations: Kinnaird Church of God – 2404 Columbia Ave. Castlegar New Life Church – 602-7th Ave. “Out of the Cold and Connection Centre” Shelter – 1660 Columbia Ave. Castlegar & District Recreation Centre – 2101-6th Ave. The spaces will […]

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued heat warnings for multiple areas in the Interior Health region. The Province has not declared an extreme heat emergency for this region. With elevated temperatures, the risk of heat-related illness increases. The BC Centre for Disease Control provides a broad range of heat-related guidance on its website, including information on the […]

People throughout British Columbia are encouraged to be prepared for heat as many regions of the province will experience high temperatures beginning Friday, July 5, 2024. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has forecast increasingly hot temperatures for many parts of the province this weekend, and the Province is reminding people to plan ahead to […]

With the arrival of summer and warmer temperatures, the BC Coroners Service (BCCS) is urging people to take extra care and plan ahead in the event of extreme-weather conditions. According to updated data from BCCS, there were 11 suspected heat-related deaths in 2023. All such deaths were reported between May and August, with more than […]

More young people who are experiencing early signs of psychosis are benefiting from expanded supports throughout the province. In 2021, the Province announced the expansion of the early psychosis intervention (EPI) program. B.C. now has more than 50 locations where people can get assessed and connected to care. The Province has funded the hiring of […]

Unregulated toxic drugs claimed the lives of 182 people in April 2024 according to preliminary data from the BC Coroners Service. While this represents a 24% decrease from the number of deaths in April 2023 (239), the risk posed by unregulated drug supply remains very high. April 2024 marks eight years since the public-health emergency […]

The Province is taking action to improve care for a growing population with overlapping mental-health and addiction challenges and brain injuries from toxic-drug poisonings by appointing a chief scientific advisor to develop solutions to address their unique needs. Dr. Daniel Vigo will be B.C.’s chief scientific advisor for psychiatry, toxic drugs and concurrent disorders. Vigo […]

Spring is here and the warmer weather means more people will be out hiking in tall grass or wooded areas. This 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 […]