Morning Update for April 7, 2020

Adrian Dix. 📷: Province of British Columbia (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

NANAIMO —BC's Minister of Health is warning travellers returning to Canada to self-isolate, or face arrests and fines. Adrian Dix says BC is concerned about the potential for a spike in new COVID-19 cases, with the return of Canadians from hot spots like India, the United States and cruise ships. Local newspapers have been reporting the case of a North Cowichan couple that is refusing to quarantine, despite having returned from travelling. Dix says "where people don't follow a plan for self-isolation, enforcement must take place." However, Dix concedes the federal and provincial governments are still working out protocols on when to levy fines and whether to make arrests or force detentions in federally sanctioned quarantine sites.

Meanwhile, BC's provincial health officer says the province may be flattening the curve. Dr. Bonnie Henry says the percentage of the number of new cases is slowing, but she says the only way to ensure that continues is for people to self-isolate and venture out only when necessary. She says she is not recommending the use of non-medical masks when out in public, as her federal counterpart is doing. Henry says masks are not a replacement for remaining two meters apart. She says masks can prevent the wearers from spraying their droplets but are not proven to protect the wearers from catching the virus.

There was another death from COVID-19 reported yesterday, but this time, it was a man in his 40s who died in his home. It's the second death outside of a long term care facility in BC but officials did not name the community where it happened. That death brings the total to 39 province-wide. There were 63 new cases of the virus confirmed since Saturday, totalling 1266 infections in BC. The Island Health region reported three new cases since Saturday, bringing our total to 79. The most recent numbers will be updated later this afternoon.

Police in Nanaimo are sounding the alarm over the effects of COVID-19 on the city. RCMP say while shoplifting and residential break-ins have dramatically decreased, the number of commercial break-ins and theft from vehicles has increased. Nanaimo RCMP's media relations officer, Gary O'Brien, says police are seeing increasing desperation among substance abusers, whose illegal drug supply is drying up and whose support services have been reduced.

Finally, a Nanaimo barbershop quartet has recorded a love song for Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC's provincial health officer. The Tidesmen Barbershop Chorus sings their ditty to the tune of "Let Me Call You Sweetheart." Last week, Qualicum Beach musician Phil Dwyer released his tribute, entitled "The Ballad of Bonnie Henry. He's accompanied by Gabriola island musician Tina Jones on vocals and banjo. Both are easily found on Google.

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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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