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New in this update:

No new Covid-19 deaths today, three total for past week in British Columbia

British Columbia is closing the week with its second-highest daily case count of COVID-19 infections. There have been 132 new cases confirmed since yesterday's record setting number of 139. There are three new cases in the Island Health Region, bringing our weekly total to 10. There have been no new deaths reported today and province wide this week, there were three deaths. All were residents in long term care homes on the lower mainland.

SD-68 selected in school bus seatbelt safety study

The Nanaimo Ladysmith School District has been selected to be part of a national pilot project for seatbelt safety on school buses. The pilot begins in January, once the district receives two buses, equipped with five point harnesses. The buses will also be equipped with interior and exterior cameras, to measure how bus riders and other drivers and pedestrians react in various situations. The district will monitor and collect data for Transport Canada, which in turn, hopes to entrench enhanced safety measures on school buses. School District Superintendent Scott Saywell says Nanaimo welcomes the chance to participate.

"In Nanaimo-Ladysmith, we're very proud of the reputation we have with working with governments, with other school districts to try new things and in this case, to make our students as safe as we can."—SD-68 Superintendent Scott Saywell.

The project will run until the end of this school year.

Schnitzer Steel fire update

People from Ladysmith to south Nanaimo are being advised to stay indoors and avoid using water because of a toxic fire burning south of the Nanaimo Airport. The fire at the Schnitzer Steel recycling property is now under control, but smoke from burning tires and plastic continues to billow from the site. Environmental experts are assessing whether groundwater has been contaminated. People who draw their water from wells in the area have been asked not to use them until the results are in, which could be tonight or tomorrow. People in the Ladysmith area are being asked not to use water to ensure there is enough supply to fight the fire. The fire broke out just after 10 yesterday morning and at its peak, more than 50 firefighters from 15 departments were battling it. About a dozen firefighters are expected to remain on the scene throughout the weekend.

Deadly gravel road to Bamfield to be paved

A $30 million dollar project is planned for a narrow, gravel road near Bamfield that has been the sight of serious accidents for many years. The road is the only link to the community, and also leads to the West Coast Trail. The 76 kilometre long road will be paved over the next three years. The Huu-ay-aht First Nation will contribute $5 million dollars for the upgrade. Almost exactly one year ago, a bus carrying biology students and instructors from the University of Victoria to Bamfield Marine Sciences Center, rolled down an embankment while trying to make room for an oncoming vehicle. Two students died in the crash.