BC is reporting 145 new cases of COVID-19 but no new deaths. Provincial medical officer of health Dr. Bonnie Henry says that brings the total cases in the province to 617 most in the Lower Mainland. Henry says the good news is that 173 people or 28 per cent have now fully recovered. But she says cases are escalating across the province and social distancing is crucial to break chains of transmission.

Alberta says a second person in the province has died of COVID-19. The woman was a resident at a long-term care centre in Calgary, where two other residents and a staff member have also tested positive for the virus. Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta's chief medical health officer, says 11 other residents at the facility are also showing symptoms. The province reported 57 new cases today, bringing the total to 358.

Ontario is reporting 85 new COVID-19 cases today, bringing the provincial total to 588. The large increase includes one more death, meaning seven people have now died in the province. Complete information is not listed for most of the new cases, but the latest death is a man in his 90s from Durham Region.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canadians have his ``unwavering commitment'' to uphold the country's democratic principles. The comment follows Opposition anger over draft legislation that promised $82 billion in emergency aid for those struggling the COVID-19 pandemic, but also gave the federal cabinet extraordinary powers to control taxes and spending. Trudeau says the pandemic is moving extremely quickly, which is why the government was looking at measures to respond just as fast. However, he also says Canada has a ``Parliament that works'' and the government is working with opposition

Ukrainian Ambassador Andriy Shevchenko says about 250 Canadians are scheduled to return to Canada on a flight from Kyiv to Toronto that is scheduled for Wednesday. The Ukraine International Airlines flight was organized by the Canadian and Ukrainian governments. Shevchenko says the plane will then load up with Ukrainians, some of whom are on their way to Toronto Pearson International Airport from as far as Vancouver, and return to Kyiv on Thursday. He says future flights are possible depending on demand.

Quebec now has 1,013 confirmed cases of COVID-19, but no additional deaths to report today, with the provincial tally steady at four. Premier Francois Legault says 67 people are hospitalized, including 31 in intensive care. Legault says about 2,500 people are awaiting test results while 12,200 have received negative tests. The premier sought to reassure Quebecers that measures in place to prevent the spread of the virus are temporary and necessary to save lives.

Canada's chief medical health officer says there's now a pretty equal ratio of travel related to community transmission of COVID-19. Dr. Theresa Tam says this represents a fundamental shift in the spread of the virus in Canada. She also notes it's a common misconception that the virus only affects the elderly or people with underlying health issues. She says younger people can get very sick too. Nearly 120,000 Canadians have been tested for the coronavirus, with an average of 10,000 people tested per day.

WestJet Airlines Ltd. says roughly half of its 14,000 employees will leave the company some temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 6,900 departures comprise early retirements, resignations and both voluntary and involuntary leaves after WestJet asked staff to choose one of those options or reduce their hours or pay, said CEO Ed Sims. Up to 600 Air Canada pilots will also go on unpaid leave in the coming months due to the fallout from the virus, their union said Tuesday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a “total lockdown” in the country of 1.3 billion people during a televised address Tuesday night, the most extensive stay-at-home order yet in the world's fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The 21-day lockdown was set to begin at midnight. “To save India and every Indian, there will be a total ban on venturing out of your homes,” Modi said, adding that if the county failed to manage the next 21 days, it would be set back by 21 years. Indian health officials have reported 469 actives cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus,