We all want COVID-19 to disappear from our lexicon, but when 2022 started, “COVID-19” was still prevalent in local headlines and most of our photos showed people wearing masks as the Omicron wave hit the area.
In January, headlines included:
• Trail adds 121 new COVID cases as infections increase across West Kootenay
• City Hall to close for lunch hour as city increases COVID-19 protocols
• No appointments necessary for rapid COVID-19 tests
• Castlegar Rebels games postponed due to COVID-19 cases
• Twin Rivers choir planning new video as practices continue online
• Castlegar sets new weekly COVID-19 record
• RDCK considers distribution of COVID-19 restart funds
• 2022 BC Winter Games another COVID casualty
• COVID-19 protesters gather in Castlegar
• COVID-19 causes rural health service reductions
February brought a COVID outbreak to Castleview Care Centre that saw two deaths and more than 45 cases. Staffing issues and surgery delays at the regional hospital in Trail also began to cause major issues.
By the time March rolled around, the headlines began to shift to things like: Air Canada increasing flights at Castlegar airport and Castlegar Seniors Centre reopens.
Finally, in April we see: Pandemic at recovery stage for Interior Health.
There were a few more blips along the way including an outbreak in August at Talarico Place that resulted in two deaths and 36 cases and another outbreak at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in November. But by the end of the year, COVID headlines were few and far between.
READ MORE: Police standoff in Kelowna ends after 10 hours with 8 arrests
newsroom@castlegarnews.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
