Premier John Horgan has announced a new framework to improve health care and respond to the COVID-19 crisis in rural, remote and Indigenous communities. It includes the addition of 55 ambulances and more planes and helicopters to transport patients to larger centres and culturally appropriate COVID-19 testing. Horgan says the framework will ensure the communities get access to the care they need to meet their unique needs during the pandemic and into the future. It was developed through a partnership between the First Nations Health Authority, Northern Health and Provincial Health Services Au

B.C. is reporting 52 new cases of COVID-19 since Saturday, including five more deaths. This brings the death total to 86 and the total number of cases to 1,699. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the testing strategy is now being expanded to determine how and when some of restrictions can be gradually lifted. However, she says that won't begin until mid-May. Henry also says the province is broadening tests to better track community spread of the virus.

Dr. Theresa Tam said there are some provinces that have not seen any community transmission of coronavirus and that in the provinces where there has been, things are getting better. But Tam warned that despite the positive signs, which are a testament to the efforts being made by Canadians, ``now is not the time to slow down'' physical distancing efforts. Canada's chief public health officer says the COVID-19 pandemic complicates the grieving process for the families and friends of the victims of the deadly mass shooting in Nova Scotia. But Dr. Theresa Tam urges people to reach out to one ano

Transit service across Metro Vancouver will see deep cuts over the coming weeks as the company that manages bus, SeaBus, SkyTrain and commuter rail services copes with monthly losses of $75 million. A statement from TransLink says ridership is down 83 per cent due to COVID-19, forcing it to temporarily layoff 1,492 workers and suspend 18 bus routes this week and a further 47 by early May. SkyTrain, SeaBus and the West Coast Express commuter rail line will see service reductions of up to 40 per cent, depending on day and time. TransLink says the cost-saving measures come with a commitment from

Nova Scotia is reporting 46 new cases of COVID-19 for a total of 721 confirmed cases. Health officials say there are nine licensed long-term care homes and unlicensed seniors' facilities with cases of the virus, involving 127 residents and 61 staff. There have been nine deaths in the province and the provincial health lab has registered 21,769 negative test results. The province says 12 people are currently in hospital, with four of those patients in intensive care, while 248 people have now recovered and their cases of COVID-19 are considered resolved.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says it is ``heartbreak on top of heartbreak'' when families whose loved ones were killed in Nova Scotia on Sunday cannot gather to mourn because of the COVID-19 physical distancing rules. Trudeau says it is the same heartbreak felt by thousands of other Canadians who have lost loved ones to the virus, or to cancer or other illnesses. He says there will be a virtual vigil on Friday night for all of Canada to support the community.

Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam says Canada has been testing more than 20,000 people a day for COVID-19 over the last few days. Tam said more than 555,000 people have now been tested. These have resulted in 36,216 confirmed cases as of this morning.

Ontario is reporting 606 new cases of COVID-19, the largest single-day increase, and 31 new deaths. Despite the large increase, the new total of 11,184 cases is just 5.7 per cent higher than the day before, continuing a relatively low growth trend. The total includes 584 deaths and 5,515 resolved cases. The number of people in hospital confirmed to have COVID-19 and those on a ventilator went down slightly, while the number of people in intensive care remained stable.

Quebec is delaying all non-urgent activities in hospitals for the next two weeks to allow more medical professionals to work full time in the province's struggling long-term care homes. Premier Francois Legault says the province is short 2,000 people to work in the homes, where the majority of the province's COVID-19 deaths have originated. The province reported 62 more deaths due to COVID-19 for a total of 939, and 962 more cases for a total of 19,319. Legault said 3,847 people have recovered from the illness.