By David P. Ball

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry warned Monday of a significant upsurge in COVID-19 cases in the past week, particularly from indoor gatherings, and what we need to do to stay safe.

She said that authorities have been forced to break up some parties — and even issue fines to private gatherings — and that the largest impacts have been on people under age 30, who can spread it easily to more vulnerable populations without even realizing it afterward.

And we hear about an upcoming rally planned for Aug. 15 by the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) to remember everyone lost in the war on drugs.