Wednesday, July 3, 2024
ADVT 
National

British Columbia records 18 new cases of COVID-19, three new deaths

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 May, 2020 12:38 AM
  • British Columbia records 18 new cases of COVID-19, three new deaths

British Columbia recorded 18 new cases of COVID-19 Friday, bringing the province's total number of active cases to 310.

Health officials say in a statement that the new figures push the number of cases identified in the province to 2,507.

Among those, 2,042 have now recovered, or about four out of every five people.

Those with active cases of the virus are recovering at home in self-isolation, while 41 are hospitalized including eight in intensive care.

However, the death toll continues to rise and three more people have succumbed to the illness for a total of 155.

An outbreak at Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver that has been ongoing for a month has been declared over and no new health-care outbreaks have been identified.

British Columbia recently entered a new phase of its pandemic response with several businesses resuming or preparing to restart operations.

Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry say this phase is about moving slowly, with patience and care.

"We are finding our new balance between protecting our health and reopening many of the businesses and activities that are important to all of us," Dix and Henry say in the joint statement.

"Phase 2 of B.C.'s restart plan is about pausing before moving forward; being thoughtful and cautious to keep everyone safe, while COVID-19 remains in our communities."

Mass gatherings remain restricted to no more than 50 people and the order has been amended to apply to drive-in events.

No more than 50 vehicles are allowed at a drive-in and there's also a restriction on the sale of refreshments.

Anyone attending such events must stay in their cars unless they have to go to the washroom, which must be serviced with running water for proper hand hygiene, the statement says.

In a separate statement, Dix and Henry say they've received an "outstanding" response to an online survey about B.C.'s response to the pandemic, with 275,000 people participating.

They urged others take part in the survey.

"There are still many questions that we need to answer and understand, including the impacts of the measures that we have taken to control COVID-19 in B.C. and flatten the curve," they say.

The survey also gauges interest in participating in further studies, including a blood test to determine immunity from COVID-19.

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. Premier John Horgan set to announce slow reopening of economy in pandemic

B.C. Premier John Horgan set to announce slow reopening of economy in pandemic
British Columbia is expected to announce plans today for a gradual reopening of services, but the provincial health officer warns people should stay in their social "bubble" to prevent a surge of COVID-19 cases. Earlier this week, Dr. Bonnie Henry said Premier John Horgan will release details of the plan today, which will be aimed at relaxing restrictions to safely increase social and economic contacts.

B.C. Premier John Horgan set to announce slow reopening of economy in pandemic

UPDATE: Surrey RCMP say 14 year old Arnav Naphar of Surrey found safe and sound

UPDATE: Surrey RCMP say 14 year old Arnav Naphar of Surrey found safe and sound
Surrey RCMP is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing young male. Arnav Naphar was last seen at 06:15 PM on May 04, 2020 in the 6500 block of 138 Street in Surrey. He has not been seen or heard from since.

UPDATE: Surrey RCMP say 14 year old Arnav Naphar of Surrey found safe and sound

Federal government earmarking $77M to keep food-processing industry safe

Federal government earmarking $77M to keep food-processing industry safe
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Tuesday more than $77 million to help keep workers in the food-processing industry safe. The news comes as a Cargill meat-packing plant in High River, Alta., south of Calgary, reopened Monday after a two-week shutdown due to a COVID-19 outbreak. More than 900 of its 2,000 workers have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Federal government earmarking $77M to keep food-processing industry safe

Federal scientists predict high wildfire risk across Western Canada

Federal scientists predict high wildfire risk across Western Canada
Federal scientists are predicting a higher than average wildfire hazard for almost the entire country this summer. Their annual forecast says the risk will be highest in early summer in Western Canada.

Federal scientists predict high wildfire risk across Western Canada

Americans trust Canadians more than they trust themselves, poll suggests

Americans trust Canadians more than they trust themselves, poll suggests
A new online poll suggests COVID-19 has damaged the trust Canadians have in their American neighbours, while U.S. residents have more faith in their northern counterparts than they do in themselves. The poll from Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies finds only 34 per cent of respondents expressed trust in Americans, compared with 58 per cent from a similar survey in November of last year.    

Americans trust Canadians more than they trust themselves, poll suggests

PM deflects questions about military's delayed confirmation of helicopter crash

PM deflects questions about military's delayed confirmation of helicopter crash
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau deflected questions Tuesday about why it took more than 12 hours for the Canadian Armed Forces to confirm a military helicopter had crashed and when he found out that horrified crew members on board a Halifax-class frigate had watched it go down.

PM deflects questions about military's delayed confirmation of helicopter crash