Media stories for January 3, 2013

Contagious new virus strain hits B.C. with a vengeance
Globe and Mail
A new strain of the highly contagious norovirus has put several British Columbia health-care facilities on the alert as the province deals with the highest rates of infection it has seen in years.

Norovirus outbreak hits Vancouver General Hospital
CBC
Vancouver General Hospital has been hit by an outbreak of norovirus, but officials say it is not likely related to an outbreak reported at New Westminster’s Royal Columbian Hospital.

Contagious norovirus puts two areas of Vancouver General Hospital under containment
Global TV online
Part of Vancouver General Hospital is under containment, after multiple cases of the highly contagious norovirus were reported in two different areas.

New Year’s baby makes her entrance less than three hours into 2013
North Shore News
Acacia Dawn Langley was the first of five babies — four girls and one boy — born at Lions Gate Hospital on Jan. 1.

Baby Oliver helps family ring in new year
Richmond Review
After his initial refusal to see the world on the predicted day, the son of Natalie and Ryan Wing arrived at 3:47 a.m. Jan. 1—making him the first Richmond Hospital birth of 2013.

Youth outreach program faces funding
Vancouver Courier
Watari Youth, Family and Community Services is losing two of its five support staff on Dec. 31 because it doesn’t have enough money to pay the workers it brought on as part of pilot project launched in January. VCH spokesperson Anna Marie D’Angelo is quoted.

Honours, accolades as doctors and donors fight cystic fibrosis
Vancouver Sun – Malcolm Parry
The VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation’s Angels Campaign completed another successful run, with patients honouring the medical personnel and others who have helped save their lives.

Quadruple amputee making progress, but needs donations to buy prosthetic
Global News
GF Strong outpatient Moses Chan lost his hands and feet to a catastrophic illness last Christmas Day. He is re-learning how to do daily activities that most of us take for granted, and is need of a $100,000 prosthetic. GF Strong hospitalist Dr. Stacy Reebye and occupational therapist Cynthia Fraser are quoted.

Dependability of VCH is no small thing
Vancouver Sun – Op/Ed
Personal, professional health care is there when we need it. VCH board chair Kip Woodward’s end-of year submission is published.

Outbreak protocol lifted at SGH, Hilltop
Squamish Chief
Admission procedures at Squamish General Hospital (SGH) and Hilltop House returned to normal on Dec. 23 after an outbreak of Norovirus at the hospital

At 94, the King of Swing Dal Richards brings Christmas to babies at St. Paul’s
Vancouver Sun
When he was in his 30s, big band leader Dal Richards would stop in and see his tiny daughter in the preemie ward at St. Paul’s Hospital before heading to his weekly show at the Hotel Vancouver’s Panorama Roof. Six decades later, the 94-year-old King of Swing is still regularly visiting the maternity ward — dressed as Santa Claus — during his annual visit to bring Christmas cheer to new parents and staff.