There are now 341 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Canada. All 10 provinces report cases either confirmed or presumptive. At a briefing today in Ottawa, Dr. Theresa Tam, the head of the Public Health Agency of Canada, calls the situation “serious”.She says the window for controlling the virus is narrowing.Tam says all the medical officers of health in Canada agree things like travel, and large gathering of 250 people or more must be cancelled.

The federal government says any Canadian who's abroad should get back home while it's still possible. That's a step up from previous advice, which urged travellers outside the country to think about doing so. Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne tweeted the new recommendation. He warns that commercial travel options might not remain available amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Some countries have already taken measures such as stopping or sharply limiting air traffic.

British Columbia has 11 new cases of COVID-19, all of them in the Vancouver area, bringing the total in the province to 64. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the new cases also involve an ``additional cluster'' that was reported earlier today at the Lions Gate Hospital in North Vancouver. Three administrative workers at the hospital have tested positive for COVID-19. Vancouver Coastal Health says they are in self-isolation at home and are recovering. Henry says they have not worked in the hospital's clinical areas. There is also another case related to the Lynn Valley Care Centr

Canadians are being told to avoid non essential travel outside of the country and to be prepared not to be allowed back home if they do. Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne issued the global travel advisory this afternoon, urging those currently aboard to consider ending their trip early. The government notes new border restrictions, flight cancellations and quarantines could prevent people from returning to Canada. And those out of the country should make sure they have enough money and necessities in case their plans are disrupted.

The Bank of Canada is cutting its overnight rate target by half a percentage point to 0.75 per cent in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The last rate cut was last week, when it dropped from 1.75 per cent to 1.25 per cent. @bankofcanada has slashed overnight lending rate by another 50 basis points to 0.75%. @Bill_Morneau announces a stimulus package of $10b to support small businesses.#COVID2019 #economy— Connectfm915 (@connectfm915) March" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/connectfm9... 13, 2020 Meantime, Finance Minister Bill Morneau says the government is making 10-

Canada's Parliament has agreed to shut down for more than a month. The move comes while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is governing remotely from his home, in self imposed quarantine after his wife tested positive for the new corona virus. Friday's vote is meant to to help ensure lawmakers do not contribute to the spread of for virus. The moves a day after Trudeau's wife tested positive. The prime minister himself has been in selfimposed quarantine. All parties in Parliament agreed to the suspension, which means lawmakers will miss two weeks of sessions since they had previously planned to be a

The Prime Minister's Office says Sophie Gregoire Trudeau has tested positive for COVID-19. Following medical advice, the prime minister's wife is remaining in isolation for the time being. The PMO says she is feeling well, is taking all the recommended precautions and her symptoms remain mild. The PMO says the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in good health with no symptoms. As a precautionary measure and following the advice of doctors, he will be in isolation for a planned period of 14 days.

Health officials in British Columbia are advising against all non essential travel outside of Canada including to the United States. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says anyone who chooses to travel outside of Canada will be required to stay away from work or school for 14 days upon their return. She is also recommending that organizers cancel any events for 250 or more people. Health Minister Adrian Dix says schools will remain open but officials will consult over the spring break to determine appropriate policies and procedures. Henry and Dix made the announcement as the province

Organizers have cancelled the 2020 Surrey Vaisakhi Parade, one of Metro Vancouver’s largest annual gatherings, citing COVID-19 health risks and advice from provincial officials. The event, hosted by Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar, had been scheduled for April 25 and typically draws more than 500,000 people, making it the largest Vaisakhi parade outside India. Parade organizers said the decision followed consultations with Fraser Health and the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, adding that “public safety remains the highest priority.” The cancellation will have ripple effects across Surrey, wher