Evening News Update for May 19 2020

📷 COVID-19 Update Health Minister Adrian Dix and Chief Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry provide an update on COVID-19 / via Province of British Columbia

NANAIMO—Once again, seniors in lower mainland long term care homes continue to be the victims of COVID-19. Three such deaths were reported over the past 24 hours. However, the number of new cases in BC continues to drop, with just 2 reported since Monday. One from a long term care facility and none in the Island Health Region. There are no new outbreaks. Province-wide, 280 people continue to recover at home, while 45 people remain in hospital, including one in Island Health.

Tonight, Island Health is hosting its second virtual town hall meeting. The region's medical health officer, its CEO and the MLA for Courtenay-Comox will take your questions. The meeting begins at 7:15 on the provincial government's Facebook page.

The rules around who can visit and assist people in hospital are changing because of the death of a disabled woman at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock last month. The Minister of Health says the revision to the order limiting visits is intended to give clearer guidance to hospital administrators and medical teams. Adrian Dix says now caregivers and family members who normally assist the patient with decision-making, communications, feeding or mobility will be allowed to be with them in hospital. 40-year-old Ariis Knight who had cerebral palsy and could not communicate died alone in hospital last month, after her family and caregivers were denied access.

BC's Provincial Health Officer is recommending that people wear non-surgical face masks in certain situations. Dr. Bonnie Henry is not willing to order that masks be worn because she says there is no scientific evidence that masks, in and of themselves, protect people from catching COVID-19. They are helpful in preventing the mask wearer from infecting others, but mask wearers can still catch the virus by touching something and wiping their eyes or readjusting their mask. Nevertheless, Henry says people should be prepared to wear masks when they cannot maintain physical distancing. For example, when riding transit, getting a hair cut or shopping in a small store. Henry advises keeping those encounters as short as possible. She notes it's very difficult to force a young child to wear a mask, and some people with lung disease may not be able to breathe with one on. She says that's why those with underlying health conditions need to be especially vigilant in taking other precautions, like remaining self-isolated, ensuring physical distancing and maintaining a small bubble of contacts. Henry adds there is little risk of catching COVID-19 from a passing jogger or cyclist, even without a mask.

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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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