British Columbia's provincial health officer says the public needs to do a better job at lowering the number of COVID-19 cases and encouraged younger residents to avoid large social gatherings. Dr. Bonnie Henry says a pandemic is a good excuse to skip a party. Dr. Henry says gatherings of young people, even if it is less than the 50 person limit, are a concern for health officials. She says when alcohol is involved, people often don't take the precautions they normally would. B.C. reported 131 new cases of COVID-19 since Friday, bringing the provincial total to 4,065. There have been no new d

A man has been charged with manslaughter just over two months after a woman died in Surrey. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 47 year old man was arrested Friday and court documents show he is expected to return to court in early September. A statement from the homicide team says he was questioned because he was with 40 year old Karlee Dixon when she was found unconscious in a Surrey home on June 2nd. She died later in hospital and the homicide team says it worked with RCMP to gather evidence and submit a charge recommendation to Crown.

A group of hotel workers has launched a hunger strike to demand help for hospitality workers across BC. The unionized protesters, members of Unite Here Local 40, have gathered on the steps of the legislature to highlight their request for provincial assistance. They want the province to ensure 50,000 hotel workers laid off during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic will get their jobs back before BC considers assistance for the tourism sector. Tourism operators are proposing a $680-million dollar bail out package but Unite Here says its members should be first in line for any aid.

First responders in Delta had their hands full last night when a total of nine people were hurt as two vehicles collided.Delta police say a car coming through a North Delta intersection hit a left-turning vehicle and both cars ended up on the sidewalk, striking a pedestrian in the process.The statement from Delta police says four people were in each car and two of those eight were young children, but their injuries are considered minor.Injuries suffered by the seven adults range from minor to serious but none is listed as life-threatening and the cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Fraser Health says a staff member at a long-term care home has tested positive for COVID-19.The health authority says in a statement that the case is at New Vista Care Home, which is operated by New Vista Care Society.A Fraser Health rapid response team is on site, and communication with residents and families is underway.Fraser Health says the outbreak is limited to one unit in the building.It says the staff member is self isolating at home.The health authority says it is working with staff to identify anyone who may have been exposed.

Vancouver Coastal Health says Sunset Beach is not suitable for swimming because of high E. coli levels.The health authority put an advisory in place Saturday after a water quality test showed 1,375 E. coli per 100 mL.It says the standard is less than 400 E. coli/100mL.Vancouver Coastal Health says high E. coli counts in recreational waters may increase the chances or gastrointestinal issues, upper respiratory illnesses, and skin and eye infection.It says the risk of getting sick is higher if people swallow water or otherwise get it in their nose, eyes, ears or an open wound.Bowen Island's Snug

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 announcing 53 new cases, including three epi-linked cases, for a total of 3,934 cases in British Columbia. "There are 386 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 3,353 people who tested positive have recovered. "There are 11 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19, four of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation

Search and rescue crews in Coquitlam, B.C., say they had to conduct a "non-urgent helicopter evacuation" of 17 campers. Messages posted on social media by the rescue team on Friday say the 17 were stranded at Widgeon Lake. The area is a popular hiking destination west of Pitt Lake, north of Coquitlam. The search team says the campers had chartered a float plane to carry them to an area at the lake that is difficult to access by foot. No one has been hurt but Coquitlam Search and Rescue says poor weather has prevented the plane from picking up the group. It says the campers made the "difficult

More flights have been added to the list alerting passengers who arrived at British Columbia airports of potential exposure to COVID-19. The BC Centre for Disease Control says passengers on a Delta flight on July 29 from Seattle to Vancouver and a flight from San Francisco to Vancouver on Aug. 1 may be at risk. All travellers from outside Canada must self-isolate for 14 days, which can limit the possible spread of the illness from international flights.But the centre says passengers on a WestJet flight from Calgary should also self-monitor for symptoms for the next 14 days.It says a person wi