BCApr 29, 2020
Two more poultry processing plants in B.C. report COVID-19 cases
Two more poultry processing plants in British Columbia say they have workers who have tested positive for COVID-19. Sofina Foods Inc. in Port Coquitlam and Fraser Valley Specialty Poultry in Chilliwack say each of their facilities has one worker who has tested positive. Sofina Foods says in a statement its employee lives with relatives who work at another plant that was recently closed after several workers tested positive for COVID-19. The company, which employees over 400 workers, says the plant remains fully operational, and that disinfection protocols and physical distancing measures are
CanadaApr 29, 2020
Manitoba to ease some COVID-19 restrictions starting in May
The Manitoba government says it is going to start easing some of its COVID-19 related restrictions starting Monday.Premier Brian Pallister says dentists and physiotherapists will be allowed to resume services, and retail stores, hair salons and restaurant patios will be able to reopen but at no more than 50 per cent capacity.Campgrounds, museums, libraries and art galleries will also be allowed to open their doors, and all will have to maintain physical distancing among customers.Travel restrictions and the 10-person limit on public gatherings are to remain in place, but Pallister says the lim
BCApr 29, 2020
46 employees of a poultry and 120 inmates and staff confirmed positive of COVID-19 in B.C.
There have been no new long-term care or assisted-living facility outbreaks in B.C. In total, 20 facilities and three acute-care units have active outbreaks, with outbreaks now declared over at 12 care facilities. Public health teams are also providing support to a number of community outbreaks, actively contact tracing those who may be directly affected and their close contacts. As of today, 46 employees have now been confirmed positive at Superior Poultry in Coquitlam, and 34 employees are confirmed positive at United Poultry in Vancouver. There are also 120 inmates and staff confirmed posi
CanadaApr 28, 2020
Nova Scotia gunman acquired police cars through auction, more details provided by RCMP
The gunman who killed 22 people across Nova Scotia this month owned a total of four used police cars obtained at auction, including the one he drove in the deadly rampage. Nova Scotia RCMP say Gabriel Wortman collected other police memorabilia, including the genuine RCMP shirt and yellow striped pants he wore April 18th and 19th. The uniform, along with the vehicle outfitted with a light bar and decals to make it look like a genuine police cruiser, allowed the gunman to escape detection during the manhunt. There is no indication police were aware of the collection before the massacre.
CanadaApr 28, 2020
COVID-19 modelling shows curve flattening; up to 3,883 deaths by May 5
Federal forecasting data suggests that by May 5, as many as 3,883 people could die due to COVID-19.And by the same date, there could be as many as 66,835 cases in Canada.Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says the initial models released on April 9 under-predicted the number of deaths in Canada.But she says with a large number of outbreaks occurring in long-term care homes, there has been a higher fatality rate.Dr. Theresa Tam says so far, 740,000 tests have been carried out, with about 20,000 people getting tested daily.Seven percent have tested positive.Tam says the new models are p
CanadaApr 28, 2020
COVID-19 numbers improving, Trudeau says, but too soon to life restrictions
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says in many parts of Canada the COVID-19 curve has flattened.He says that's the bottom line of new federal modelling data being released today.But he says while the measures taken so far to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus are working, Canadians can't let up.He says a coming national framework for easing up on some of those measures is based on ensuring COVID-19 can be contained.Trudeau says six million surgical masks will be shipped to the provinces and territories this week.He says 100,000 face shields are also on the way soon.Trudeau says ensuring wor
BCApr 27, 2020
B.C. woman whose disappearance sparked wide search found dead in Burnaby: police
The body of a missing British Columbia woman has been found two months after she disappeared. A statement from New Westminster police says the body believed to be that of Nirla Sharma was discovered Sunday along the Fraser River between New Westminster and Burnaby. The woman's disappearance from her New Westminster home sparked a major search in late February. Sgt. Jeff Scott says there is no indication of foul play but the cause of death has not yet been determined. The 44 year old was last seen Feb. 23 when she went to bed but it's believed she left her home the next day because a family mem
CanadaApr 27, 2020
Nearly 10,000 businesses apply for wage subsidy in first hours : Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says nearly 10,000 businesses have applied for the federal government's wage-subsidy program to help them deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.The emergency measure will cover 75 percent of wages for employers that have seen sharp declines in revenue since the novel coronavirus hit Canada hard in March, up to $847 per worker.Applications opened early this morning and payments can be retroactive to the middle of March.Trudeau says money under the program will start flowing by May 7.It may take longer for the money to arrive for companies that aren't signed up for direct
CanadaApr 25, 2020
COVID-19: Ottawa announces $62.5 million for country's fish and seafood sector
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is announcing a $62.5-million aid package to help the country's fish and seafood processors protect workers from COVID-19.
Trudeau said today the money is earmarked for personal protective equipment and to help fish and seafood companies adapt their plants to comply with health directives.
The prime minister says the funding can also help pay for other equipment such as freezers, so that companies can store food products while they adapt their factories to ensure workers can maintain a safe distance from one another.
Fish and seafood are among the country's top fo