Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, has issued the following statement on actions being taken by the federal government to protect Canadians from COVID-19:

The Mid-Year Progress Report on B.C.’s Surgical Renewal Commitment to patients shows that surgery volumes are exceeding pre-pandemic levels, and almost all surgeries postponed by multiple waves of COVID-19 have now been completed.

People living in long-term-care and assisted-living facilities will continue receiving high-quality care from fairly compensated workers as the Province renews its commitment to temporarily fund wage increases for staff working in the sector.

People in rapidly growing northern communities will benefit from provincial funding for eight new projects, including those that build local capacity in child care, mental-health and substance-use support, and employment services.

More than 77,500 people were vaccinated against influenza from Dec. 5 to Dec. 11, 2022, including 42,582 people who were vaccinated during the weekend’s influenza-vaccine walk-in clinic blitz.

The Province, through BC Housing, has purchased the former Lamplighter Motel in Kamloops to ensure people at risk of homelessness in the community continue to have a place to live.