The chief public health officer has acknowledged that the number of deaths as a result of COVID-19 in Canada has now exceeded the national projections for potentially 3,883 deaths by May 5. Just over 4,100 people have died in Canada to date. Tam says the increased number of deaths is due to the tragic fact that those who were infected weeks ago are now coming to the end stages of COVID-19, and are passing away, most often those in long-term care facilities. But Dr. Theresa Tam points out that the epidemic still appears to be slowing down and that the doubling time for infections is now at abo

Major crimes detectives have joined a missing person investigation in British Columbia's Interior looking into the disappearance of a man that RCMP say is suspicious.Mounties in Quesnel say 33-year-old Louis Korkowski was last seen or heard from on May 4.Efforts to locate the five-foot four-inch, 110-pound man have led to a possible link with two vehicles, a green 2003 Ford Explorer and a grey 2007 Toyota Matrix.Police say the Explorer has a dented passenger door and licence plate KF087R, while the Matrix has black paint and peeling damage on the roof, sticker residue on the passenger door an

The Canadian Pharmacists Association says ongoing drug shortages mean pharmacies are receiving short shipments from manufacturers, leaving them to try to adjust on the fly.The association first warned of the possibility of looming shortages in early March, when supply chains were disrupted by COVID-19 in China.While Canada has seen a spike in shortages since then, it hasn't developed into the emergency situation some health officials had feared.Barry Power with the association says manufacturers and wholesalers have told them the rationing measures pharmacies are taking are helping to reduce d

Ontario is extending a period of lower hydro rates as well as its emergency orders.The orders, which were set to expire today, include the closure of non-essential businesses, the prohibition of public gatherings of more than five people, and the closure of outdoor amenities such as playgrounds.They have now been extended for another two weeks, to May 19.Ontario's overall declaration of a state of emergency was extended last month to May 12.The government also says that it will extend lower electricity rates for residential consumers, farms and small businesses to May 31. An initial order fro

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the task force on coronavirus vaccine development, drug discovery, diagnosis and testing and took a detailed review of the current status of India's efforts in these areas. The review by the Prime Minister took note of the extraordinary coming together of academia, industry and government, combined with speedy but efficient regulatory process. According to an official release, the Prime Minister desired that such coordination and speed should be embedded into a standard operating procedure. It said over 30 Indian vaccines are in dif

There are 62,046 confirmed and presumptive cases in Canada. Quebec: 33,417 confirmed (including 2,398 deaths, 7,578 resolved) Ontario: 18,310 confirmed (including 1,361 deaths, 12,779 resolved) Alberta: 5,893 confirmed (including 106 deaths, 3,219 resolved) British Columbia: 2,232 confirmed (including 121 deaths, 1,472 resolved) Nova Scotia: 991 confirmed (including 41 deaths, 652 resolved) Saskatchewan: 487 confirmed (including 6 deaths, 310 resolved) Manitoba: 282 confirmed (including 7 deaths, 238 resolved) Newfoundland and Labrador: 259 confirmed (including 3 deaths, 241 resolved) New Bru

BC is reporting only eight new cases of COVID-19 but four new deaths. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says that brings the total number of cases to 2,232 and 121 deaths. Henry says there are now active outbreaks at 22 long-term care centres but the one at Lynne Valley the first major outbreak in the province is over. She says the province has put the brakes on COVID-19 but it's too early for people to start planning play dates and expanding their social connections.

Highway 5-A could be closed for weeks after Stump Lake spilled over its banks and flooded the highway about 40 kilometres south of Kamloops. Kevin Skrepnek, the emergency co-ordinator with the Thompson Nicola Regional District, says water levels show the highway closure could last days or even weeks. He says the reopening will be up to the Ministry of Transportation, which will factor in public safety. Skrepnek says some outbuildings and basements on nearby properties have also been flooded.

A man is in custody after climbing a crane tower at a construction site on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Sergeant Aaron Roed says the man scaled the crane last night and was able to get into the operating booth and start the machine. Roed says power was cut before the man was able to move the crane arm or cause any damage. Officers then convinced the man to come down from his perch on his own and he was arrested without further incident.