An inmate has died from an apparent complication related to COVID-19 at a prison in British Columbia. Correctional Service Canada says in a statement it is the first death related to the novel coronavirus among federally sentenced inmates. It says in a statement the inmate died at Abbotsford Regional Hospital Wednesday. The correctional service says the inmate, who has not been identified, was serving time at Mission Institute where 54 people have tested positive for the virus. It says the inmate's next of kin has been notified and the BC Coroners Service will review the circumstances of deat

A state of local emergency has been declared north of Vancouver as a wildfire has charred more than half a square kilometre of bush and trees in the Upper Squamish Valley.The District of Squamish issued the declaration late Wednesday after the out-of-control fire threatened a handful of homes, a campground and BC Hydro infrastructure.Six homes have been evacuated and evacuation alerts are also in effect for residents of Paradise Valley.Coastal Fire Centre spokeswoman Donna MacPherson has said the blaze was likely human caused.A 12 person, BC Wildfire crew remained in the area overnight, assis

British Columbia Premier John Horgan says people in the province should congratulate themselves for their efforts to flatten the COVID-19 curve, but says it's still too early to loosen. Horgan says most people are following the orders of provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry to self-isolate if sick, practise physical distancing and frequent hand washing. Horgan says recent data says most people in B.C. stayed close to home over the Easter holiday weekend and did not visit their weekend cottages or take drives to nearby communities. The premier says Henry will release up-to-date data mode

British Columbia is reporting three more deaths and 44 new cases of COVID-19 today. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says one of those deaths represents the first in the Interior Health region, a man in his 60s who had been recovering at home. The province's death toll is now up to 75 and the total number of cases is 1,561. Henry says 131 people are in hospital, including 59 in critical or intensive care, while 955 people in B.C. have recovered from the disease. She says three additional cases have been identified amid an ongoing outbreak at a West Kelowna nursery, where 26 people h

About 500 British Columbia workers handed layoff notices by BC Ferries are back on the payroll after the company altered staffing plans during the COVID-19 crisis.A total of 1,100 workers were due to be laid off last Saturday but the notices were rescinded for 500 regular employees as BC Ferries waits to learn if it qualifies for federal wage subsidies.A spokeswoman for the company says it could take some time to determine eligibility and even if approved, the layoffs will go ahead for 600 casual workers.Physical distancing regulations require the company to cut passenger levels by 50 per cen

A 26 year old man has been charged in a fatal shooting in Surrey a week ago. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says 21 year old Pritpal Singh was found fatally shot on the front lawn of a home just after midnight on April 7th. Investigators had originally suggested it was a targeted shooting but now say they believe it was a random incident. IHIT says Robert Tomljenovic was arrested yesterday and charged today with second-degree murder and robbery with a firearm.

British Columbia has had three more deaths from COVID-19, all of them in long-term care homes, bringing the total number of fatalities in the province to 72. Dr. Bonnie Henry, the provincial health officer, says 27 new cases of the disease have been confirmed. That brings the total number of cases of COVID-19 in B.C. to 1,517. She says 942 people have recovered from the illness.

The agency that handles transit for the Metro Vancouver area is warning of ``unprecedented cuts to service'' if it does not receive emergency funding relief from the federal and provincial governments.TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond says the company is losing $75 million every month because of the COVID-19 pandemic.Desmond says TransLink has done its best to keep essential services operating, but has seen revenue cut in half since mid-March, and he warns of ``cashflow issues within weeks.''TransLink operates bus, SkyTrain, Sea Bus and West Coast Express commuter train services across Metro Vancou

British Columbia is reporting 11 new COVID-19 deaths, bringing the province's total to 69. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says B.C.'s total number of cases has increased to 1,490, up 45 from Saturday. Henry says 137 people are in hospital, with 58 of those in intensive care. She says there remains 20 long-term care facilities with COVID-19 outbreaks. Henry says a COVID-19 outbreak at the federal Mission Institution is causing concerns, with 35 positive cases and eight people now in hospital. Henry says all efforts are underway to contain the outbreak at the prison.