BCApr 14, 2020
COVID-19: 3 more deaths reported in B.C. as total deaths rise to 72, 27 new cases reported
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.
BCApr 14, 2020
TransLink losing $75 million a month, seeks emergency funding
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
BCApr 14, 2020
COVID-19: 11 more deaths reported in British Columbia, number of deaths rise to 69
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.
BCApr 13, 2020
Vancouver mayor warns of "drastic measures" without federal and provincial government help
A new survey commissioned by the City of Vancouver is highlighting the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on its residents.The survey says nearly half of Vancouver's residents have lost their jobs or faced a reduction in working hours.Mayor Kennedy Stewart says the economic downturn could cost the city half-a-billion dollars in lost revenue.He's calling for more aid from the provincial and federal governments warning that cities will have to take drastic measures if help isn't available.
BCApr 11, 2020
35 new cases and 3 new deaths reported in B.C., province also working on outbreak at a federal prison in Mission
British Columbia is reporting 35 new cases of COVID-19 as well as three new deaths. The province now has 1,445 total positive tests and 58 deaths. Provincial health officer Bonnie Henry says 134 people are hospitalized, with 63 in critical care. Henry says the province is working closely with federal counterparts to deal with a COVID-19 outbreak at a federal prison in Mission, B.C. She also urged residents to stay home for the long weekend and avoid ``unnecessary travel.''
BCApr 11, 2020
COVID-19: With 5 new deaths reported, total deaths rise to 55 and total cases to 1,410 in B.C.
British Columbia is reporting five more deaths due to COVID-19, along with 40 new cases. That brings the provincial death toll to 55 among 1,410 confirmed cases in total. The province says 128 people are hospitalized, including 65 in intensive care. It says there have been no new outbreaks at long-term care facilities since the last update on Thursday.
BCApr 10, 2020
Surrey shooting victim identified as 21 year old Pritpal Singh
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has identified Pritpal Singh as the victim of a fatal shooting outside a Surrey home early April 7.
Police say Singh was shot just after 12:40 a.m. outside a residence on 138A Street near 88 Avenue. Investigators are working with the Surrey RCMP, the Integrated Forensic Identification Services, and the B.C. Coroners Service to determine a motive. IHIT noted the case does not appear linked to the ongoing Lower Mainland gang conflict.
The shooting shook residents in the Newton neighbourhood. Parminder Gill, who lives nearby, told Connect News Tea
BCApr 09, 2020
B.C. lost 132,000 jobs last month, jobless rate 7.2%
B.C. Finance Minister Carole James says the province lost 132,000 jobs last month, but it's going to get worse before it gets better due to the COVID-19 pandemic.She says the latest Statistics Canada Labour Force numbers indicate B.C.'s jobless rate rose to 7.2 per cent from 5 per cent in March.James says she expects the jobless numbers to increase over the coming weeks as they indicate the ongoing impact of the pandemic on the economy and workers and families.She says the province has introduced a $5 billion action plan to help workers, families and businesses endure the pandemic.
BCApr 08, 2020
5 more COVID-19 related deaths in BC, total number rises to 48
Provincial health officer Doctor Bonnie Henry is reporting five more deaths from COVID-19 in B.C. including three residents of long-term care or assisted living facilities. Henry says another resident has died amid an outbreak at the Lynn Valley care centre and the other two deaths occurred at a care home with no previous fatalities. She says the province has recorded 45 new cases for a total of 1,336, including 48 deaths. The number of hospitalizations is down slightly but Henry says people need to stay home over the Easter weekend to limit the spread of the virus.