Good morning!

The temperatures are dropping, and the annual cold and flu season seems to be in full swing. With that, COVID numbers are on the rise, we have more on that in our first story today.  

— Emma

NEWS

Vancouver Island COVID spikes have BC taking precautionary measures

COVID cases are spiking again, and the Province of BC is reminding Vancouver Island residents to stay alert and aware of their health and precautionary measures. The number of people in hospital with COVID-19 has risen 57% in two weeks, the BC Centre for Disease Control announced on Oct 7. There were 267 on Sept. 21 and now 422 (including 75 in Island Health) as of Oct. 5.

This incline builds on the rapid growth over the past two months. Since early August, BC’s hospitalizations per week have roughly doubled (to 228) and deaths per week have nearly tripled (to 24). Confirmed infections are increasing the most in people 60+ and, lately, 80+ especially.

Last week an outbreak was declared in a unit at Vic General. Currently, BC is tied with Quebec for the second highest COVID Forecast rating at a 13.3 hazard as of Oct. 7; previously known as the Hazard Index, this rating is calculated from three equally weighted categories to determine the risk of spread, and anything rated above an eight is listed as severe.

On Oct. 3, Island Health released a health alert that informed all locals that mask requirements have returned to BC hospitals and other health-care facilities the same day of the outbreak at Vic General. The BC Centre for Disease Control is reminding people to check out COVID resources and information, and stay up to date with vaccines as fall booster invitations begin this week.

SPONSORED BY DANCE VICTORIA

Dance Victoria presents New York’s world-class Gibney Company

From its home at the heart of Broadway, New York’s Gibney Company has been making waves around the world for both its virtuosic performances and empowering activism.

For their Victoria debut, they arrive with three diverse works:

The free-spirited Bliss, by choreographer Johan Inger, sets jazz pianist Keith Jarrett’s legendary, improvised ‘Köln Concert’ in joyful motion.

A Measurable Existence, by choreographer Yue Yin, is an intimate meditation on how our lives and journeys are so often defined only by their intersections with others.

Rounding out the mixed bill, Israel’s Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar’s SARA is an articulate jewel of a piece that finishes the evening on a shining high note.

Dance Victoria presents Gibney Company Nov 17 and 18 at Royal Theatre. Click here for tickets and more info.

SPORTS

Late-season slump saddles Pacific FC with brutal uphill road to trophy

The local soccer club fell 0-3 in Calgary on Oct. 7 against the league’s top team, missing a final chance to climb back into second place.

PFC was atop the league early this year, and continued to hold off the pack even after being surpassed by the now-dominant Cavalry. But a two-month swoon in which PFC won just two of the past 10 games has ultimately relegated the locals to fourth.

That’s an even tougher position than in past seasons, when fourth would mean an automatic semifinal berth. Under the new format, the second seed can zip to the finals with one win—while the fourth and fifth teams must win three in a row to get there.

It’s a move designed to help the best regular-season team, giving Cavalry—already the strong favourite—a great chance to become the first team other than Pacific (2021) and Forge (2019, 2020, 2022) to win the Canadian Premier League.

Pacific FC will begin its tough road this Wednesday Oct. 11 at home in Langford against York United FC at 8pm.

Around the 'Shore

🛒 Langford Real Canadian Superstore apologizes for racial profiling incident: Loblaws is conducting an investigation after a woman was wrongfully removed from the Langford Superstore on Aug. 12. While stating that the mistake was made due to a mis-identification of a suspected shoplifter, Rich Barron and partner Brenda Urquiaga, who is Filipino, say that an apology cannot repair the damage made. [Vancouver Island Free Daily]

🚨 4.5 earthquake felt in Greater Victoria on Oct. 8: Residents of Greater Victoria reported they felt their buildings shaking slightly around 7:21pm on Sunday due to an earthquake in Washington state near Marrowstone. While no damage was caused, people felt the jolts and the province reminded people to educate themselves on earthquake safety. [Times Colonist]

🪰 Greater Victoria sees swarms of tiny whiteflies: Gardeners and green thumbs are concerned about ‘tiny whiteflies’ on their greenery. These pests are known to feed on the sap of plants. Scientifically called Aleyrodidae, these bugs are more prevalent this year due to a number of reasons like climate and lack of predators; gardeners are encouraged to monitor their plants and learn how to manage the small whiteflies. [Victoria Buzz]

Community Events

🧤 Master Mittens: As the cold season approaches, it's the perfect time to get all of your warm clothing sorted; Spinnacle Yarns is offering knitters of all skills to join them on Oct. 12 from 5-6:30pm at the Station for a mitten-knitting class. Find tickets for this class and a number of other workshops here. 

🛠️ Sooke Library Tool Swap: Need some household tools? Head to the Sooke Library on Oct. 15 from 11am to 1pm for a tool swap. A free, local event, people can give, swap, or take tools that have been loved and used. You can RSVP with coordinator Bernie to save a table.

🥂 Sheringham Happy Hour: On Oct. 14, get tickets to Sheringham’s Happy Hour, where South Fire by Zambri’s will bring the heat for a special tasting event; Sheringham’s Saturday Happy Hours go from 2 to 5pm and the distillery partners with local chefs to pair their cuisine with Sheringham and Lumette cocktails.

What’s Offshore?

🚢 The Nsu Zenith is a bulk carrier built in 2019 and is sailing under the flag of Panama. It is sailing from Port Edward 🇨🇦 ➡ Vancouver 🇨🇦 and was scheduled to arrive Sept. 29.

Westshore Snaps

Fog rolling into View Royal at Price Bay. —Clarence Gray, View Royal

That’s it!

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