Our Daily News Update produced by our News Department. Serving the mid-Vancouver Island Coast and Salish Sea community.
Lisa Cordasco—News Director and Reporter.
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Five more people in BC have died from COVID-19 over the past 24 hours. All of the deaths were on the lower mainland, bringing the provincial total to 55. There were 40 new infections reported, including two in the Vancouver Island Health region.
Read MoreBC Parks have been closed in an attempt to encourage people to stay home. However, parks and trails in the district of Nanaimo remain open. The city plans to deploy a team of Parks Ambassadors to remind people about social distancing in its busiest parks, including waterfront areas.
Read MoreThere have been two more deaths from COVID-19 in BC, bringing the total to 50. Both deaths were seniors in hospitals on the lower mainland. There are now 1370 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in BC with 34 new cases reported in the past 24 hours. There has been one new case in the Vancouver Island health region, bringing our total to 82.
Read MoreDisturbing unemployment numbers were released today. They show 132,000 British Columbians lost their jobs last month, as a result of COVID-19. BC's Minister of Finance says the province's 7.2 percent unemployment rate does not include thousands of British Columbians who were looking for work in March, but could not find it.
Read MoreThe latest numbers on the COVID-19 pandemic in BC show five more deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the fatality total to 48. The Provincial Health officer says three deaths occurred in long term care homes on the lower mainland.
Dr. Bonnie Henry. 📷: Province of British Columbia (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Read MoreTravellers returning to British Columbia will face more intensive screening. The Premier says people arriving at airports and border crossings will have to show they have a plan to self-isolate, instead of just promising to do so.
Premier John Horgan. 📷: Province of British Columbia (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Read MoreThe Prime Minister has announced changes to an emergency program, aimed at keeping employees on the payroll. The changes relax the eligibility requirements for the Canada Wage Subsidy Benefit.
Prime Minister Trudeau. 📷: PMO photographer (used with permission).
Read MoreThere is good news for Vancouver Island residents with the latest COVID-19 numbers. There have been no new cases of the virus here since Monday. There have been no new deaths in the Island Health region for close to a week.
Dr. Bonnie Henry. 📷: Province of British Columbia (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Read MoreThe Prime Minister is trying to allay fears over shortages of medical equipment. Justin Trudeau says four Canadian companies are poised to begin production of 30,000 ventilators.
Read MoreBC'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.
Adrian Dix. 📷: Province of British Columbia (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Read MoreBC's provincial health officer says there has been another death from COVID-19, but this time, it was a 40-year-old 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.
N95 Mask. 📷: Wikipedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Read MoreToday is the day people can start applying for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. The benefit provides up to $2000 a month for those who have lost their jobs, are self-employed or cannot work because of COVID-19.
Read MoreThere are two more new cases of COVID-19 in the Island Health Region, bringing the total to 74. Across BC, there are 53 new cases, pushing the provincial total to 1174.
Read MoreBC Ferries has announced a major reduction in service because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting this Saturday, the Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay route will be suspended, along with the Mill Bay to Brentwood Bay route.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreHelp is on the way for post-secondary students who need financial assistance due to COVID-19. The Ministry of Advanced Education is adding $3 and a half million dollars to its Emergency Financial Assistance program.
Read MoreThe latest COVID-19 numbers are in: There are 53 new confirmed cases over the past 24 hours, bringing BC's total to 1066.
Read MoreBC Hydro customers who have lost their income due to COVID-19 are about to receive a gift of free hydro. Residential customers will receive a credit, equalling three times their average monthly bill over the past year. That adds up to an average credit of $477.
Photo: Screenshot from BC Hydro Website April 1st 2020.
Read MoreBells are ringing out at Anglican churches across Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands right now. The bell-ringing is in support of COVID-19 front-line workers, Dr. Bonnie Henry, the province's health officer and Adrian Dix, the Minister of Health.
Photo: Nanaimo St Andrew's Church (Sydney Langhelt - CC BY-SA 3.0)
Read MoreThe Premier gave a pep talk about the COVID-19 pandemic last night. Premier John Horgan's address to the province included praise for healthcare workers, truck drivers, grocery and gas station clerks, pharmacists and daycare workers, saying "BC has got your back."
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