Evening Update for April 2nd, 2020.

NANAIMO —The Island Health Authority is reporting the first deaths from COVID-19 in the region. The provincial health officer says two people in the Island Health region died over the past 24 hours. Dr. Bonnie Henry says they are among 6 new deaths in BC, bringing the total to 31. There are no new COVID-19 cases here, but there are 55 new cases elsewhere in the province, including one at the Okanagan Correctional Center. The total number of cases in BC is now 1121.

There is good news for 295 Canadians stuck on two cruise ships that have been stranded at sea by COVID-19. U.S. officials have granted permission for Holland America Line's ships Rotterdam and Zaandam to dock in Port Everglades Florida. There are half a dozen Nanaimo residents on board. The Prime Minister says all Canadians on the cruise ships will be flown back to Canada where they will be quarantined for 14 days. BC's Provincial Health officer says she's been in contact with federal authorities to ensure the cruise ship passengers are properly assessed and returned to quarantine. There is no word yet, whether those passengers will be taken directly to federal quarantine locations, or if they will be allowed to self-isolate at home.

Help is on the way for BC post-secondary students and people who receive disability or social assistance payments. The Ministry of Advanced Education is adding $3 and a half million dollars to its Emergency Financial Assistance program. The money is for BC students who need help with living expenses, food, travel, portable computers or other supports. The money can be accessed by contacting your institution's financial aid department.

And, British Columbians who are on provincial social assistance, disability programs and the Seniors' Supplement will see an extra $300 on their cheques for the next three months. In addition, the Minister of Social Development and Poverty says the province will not claw back any money from federal COVID-19 support payments. And, because buses are now free, the province will add $52 to monthly cheques, instead of providing monthly bus passes. Shane Simpson says more than a quarter of a million British Columbians will benefit from the initiatives. However, Simpson acknowledged those who receive federal disability payments will not be eligible. The Minister pledged to work with federal officials to try to close those gaps.

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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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