Evening Update for March 25th, 2020.

NANAIMO —There are three new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island, bringing the total to 47 cases in the health region. Provincially 42 new cases have been reported, adding up to 659 cases in BC. Dr. Bonnie Henry says one more person who was at the Lynn Valley Long Term Care Centre has died.

The provincial government is offering help to renters with a new supplement, an order halting evictions and by freezing rent increases. Renters who qualify can receive up to $500 dollars a month to supplement their rent payments for the next four months. People who already receive rental subsidies will see those subsidies increased. Evictions have now been banned and so have rent increases. Premier John Horgan says the details on how to apply are being finalized. He admits the subsidies will not be available before April the 1st.

Social Service agencies in Greater Nanaimo are doing their best to keep some programs going, but services are limited. The Haven Society has cancelled all group programs and is asking people to call unless it is an emergency, in which case are welcome to come to the centre.

The Nanaimo Area Resource Services for Families is no longer taking new additions to its youth withdrawal and supportive residential programs. Harris House is allowing individual drops for harm reduction until Friday. It has suspended all testing and showers at the facility.

Nanaimo's regional transit system has started its summer level of service. Eight routes are no longer operating due to the coronavirus outbreak. You can find out more at RDNNextRide.ca or call 250-390-4531.

BC Ferry riders will pay 60 cents less per round trip instead of paying 60 cents more. That's because the ferry corporation has decided not to implement higher fees on April the 1st, and it is offering a fuel rebate for the foreseeable future. BC Ferries says its travel volumes have fallen by 40 percent over the past week and there will be fewer sailings as a result. You can find out more on the BC Ferries website.

The Nanaimo Beacon, a satirical on-line magazine is hoping to help lessen the boredom of self-isolation by offering a locally produced colouring book. "No One is An Island" includes colouring panels of Mayor Leonard Krog and nurses at NRGH. It's a free download on its website, the Nanaimo Beacon.

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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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