Evening News Update for May 15 2020

Abbotsford Regional Hospital & Cancer Centre / via Wikicommons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

NANAIMO—It was not a good day when it comes to COVID-19 numbers in BC. Five people have died from the virus in the past 24 hours, all on the lower mainland. That brings the total to 140 deaths in BC since the pandemic began, including five in the Island Health region. There is one new case of COVID-19 confirmed in Island Health since yesterday. Province-wide, there are 15 new cases, including one at Abbotsford Regional Hospital and two cases at The Oppenheimer Group, a fruit and vegetable processing plant in Coquitlam. There are 359 people in BC suffering from the virus right now, but just one in hospital in Island Health.

Parents of students in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District will receive a survey today, asking whether they intend to have their children return to classrooms on June the first. Under the Ministry of Education plan announced today, parents have the option to keep their kids at home. Those who want to return will only be able to do so part-time. Students in Kindergarten to Grade 5 will have in-class instruction two or three times per week, while students in grades six to 12 will attend once per week. 200 students of essential service workers in the district already receive in-class instruction full time and will continue to do so. Rob Flemming says the plan will ensure a safe return for students and staff by reducing class sizes, along with twice-daily cleaning of high touch surfaces and daily deep cleaning throughout the facilities. There will be staggered drop-offs, lunch and recesses and increased time spent outside. School buses will limit one student per seat, with barriers around drivers. Flemming says all students will continue to receive on-line learning. Parents can expect to hear more details from school administrators by next Friday.

A dispute over an off-leash dog ended up in an alleged assault on a trail early yesterday morning. Police say a 74-year-old man suffered a split lip after being punched in the face by another dog walker who took offence after being told his dog should be on a leash. The incident happened at 7 a.m. on Thursday on a trail near Oakes Drive and Timbercrest Way. The 72-year-old suspect is described as white, of medium build and having a white moustache. He was walking a small shaggy-haired black dog. If you have any information, please call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.

The Canadian Snowbirds will wrap up their cross country fly past in the skies above Nanaimo this Sunday. The Operation Inspiration tour is an aeronautical thank you to front line workers and all Canadians who are doing their part to fight COVID-19. The flypast is scheduled for Sunday morning but will depend on the weather. Exact times will be posted on the Canadian Snowbirds Facebook page and Twitter feed.

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Lisa Cordasco

Senior Reporter and News Director — Lisa is responsible for creating the station's first morning news current affairs show on CHLY. She is also deeply involved in training and mentoring student and citizen journalists who volunteer their time at the station. Before joining CHLY, Lisa spent 35 years in various roles at CBC Radio, from host to reporter. Her passion for journalism and radio has led her to Nanaimo, where she intends to provide CHLY listeners with news they can use, in an alternative radio environment. Her other not-so-secret passion is costuming for any occasion.

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