Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, have issued a joint statement regarding updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response in British Columbia. "Today, we are providing case updates for three 24-hour reporting periods. In the first reporting period from July 10 to July 11, we had 21 new cases. From July 11 to July 12, we had 20 new cases and in the last 24 hours, we have had a further 21 new cases."This represents 62 new cases since we reported on Friday, for a total of 3,115 cases in British Columbia."There are 208 active cases of CO

British Columbia's health minister says several COVID-19 exposures linked to the city of Kelowna are believed to stem from private parties held by people in their 20s and 30s. Adrian Dix says that the cases involved people from three different regions of BC and serve as a reminder of the risks posed by private gatherings. Interior Health says eight positive tests for the virus are linked to visits to downtown Kelowna and the city's waterfront between June 25th and July 9th. An advisory warns of possible exposures at a resort, bed and breakfast, restaurant and spin studio. The cases follow the

A 24 year old Langley man is in custody, charged with three counts of second-degree murder related to the slayings of his mother, younger sister and his mother's common-law partner. Kia Ebrahimian was charged Friday, almost a month after fire tore through the Langley home were he and the three victims lived. Integrated Homicide Investigation Team Sergeant Frank Jang says Ebrahimian was not injured in the fire but his 50 year old mother and 23 year old sister were found dead in the home, while the body of his mother's 46 year old partner was found in the backyard. Jang isn't saying how the vic

Surrey RCMP are investigating a robbery and sexual assault near the King George SkyTrain station on Friday night. Police say a woman was walking under the Expo line near the Fraser Highway at around 10:45 p.m. when a man approached her with a weapon. The woman was allegedly robbed, pulled into nearby bushes and sexually assaulted. The suspect is described as white, 30 to 40 years old, about five-foot-10, and wearing a red and blue bandana on his face and all black clothing.

BC health officials are reporting 25 new cases of COVID-19 today, as well as one new death. That brings the death toll to 187 among 3,053 people who have tested positive for the disease so far. In a joint statement, Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry say 187 cases are active, with 16 people in hospital. There are ongoing outbreaks at two long-term care or assisted living facilities and one acute care facility. And while there are no active community outbreaks, Dix and Henry say exposure is still happening. The health officials are reminding people to con

A woman in her 50s has died in an apartment fire on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. The blaze broke out in an eighth-floor suite of the building (at 133 West Pender Street) just after seven last night. Fellow residents tried to douse the flames with a hose in the building but could not reach the woman inside and she could not be revived by the time firefighters had pulled her out. The fire was contained to the single suite and a cause is under investigation.

During this time of pandemic, ensuring the heath and safety of our residents, patrons and staff are the principles that determine the re-opening of City of Surrey recreational facilities. "It is unfortunate that there has been misinformation circulated about the closures of our recreational facilities," said Councillor Laurie Guerra, Chair of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Committee. "Our recreational facilities were closed on March 15 dueto COVID-19 and not from budgetary pressures. Since June 1, we have re-opened to the public a number of outdoor facilities and programs. We are continuing

Statistics Canada's labour force survey for June shows 118,000 people in B.C. found jobs and the unemployment rate fell slightly to 13 per cent.Finance Minister Carol James says the latest numbers paint a picture of cautious optimism with a long road ahead on B.C.'s path to recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic.She says job gains in May and June bring back about 40 per cent of the total number of jobs lost since February.The greatest losses have been in the service sector, but James says that's also where jobs are being added as accommodation and food services accounted for half of last month'

Reputed gang leader Jamie Bacon has pleaded guilty to a charge stemming from shootings in 2007 that left six people dead at a highrise apartment building in Surrey, British Columbia. The plea brings an end to a complex legal case that has spanned more than a decade. Bacon pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to murder in the so-called Surrey Six case. Sentencing has been tentatively scheduled for July 23rd when victim impact statements will be heard by the court.