COVID-19 cases in Island Health Region continue to creep up, but at slower rate that lower mainland

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COVID-19 cases in the Island Health Region continue to creep up, but at a much slower rate than on the lower mainland. There have been two new cases of the virus confirmed here over the past 24 hours. Province-wide, there are 83 new cases but no deaths.
BC's Minister of Public Safety has extended the province's state of emergency until September the 1st. The extension allows the province to continue to manage what it calls "immediate concerns, including recent outbreaks in some areas of the province." Mike Farnworth has confirmed he will be bringing in new measures later this week to address the actions of those he says "demonstrate their indifference to the health and safety of others." Yesterday, the Minister of Health, Adrian Dix confirmed the target.
"The places we're most concerned about in terms of transmission are parties and close contacts that take place over a period of time in closed circumstances and those are the circumstances that we're most focussed on with our enforcement right now."—Adrian Dix, Minister of Health.
Dix says four nightclubs on the lower mainland including one in the Trump Tower, have been ordered closed until health authorities are satisfied with their COVID safety plans.
A group of Milton Street residents has stepped up efforts to shut down a drug house that's been deemed a nuisance property at 560 Milton.
"The 'field of filth' we call it across from the house where everybody hides. We spent two four hour shifts as a community, clearing the lot because unfortunately, the owner of the lot has not been any help so we just got out there and we showed a sign of solidarity and people from all over Nanaimo came and stood with us in a stand against it."—Natalie Cunliffe, South End resident.
Police raided the property in June, charging two people with trafficking. The city declared it a nuisance property last month.

Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco, News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.

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