Skip to Main content

7.23°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Nov 14, 2020 1:09 AM -

B.C. health officials urging residents to celebrate Diwali virtually this year as B.C. records more than 600 COVID-19 cases for the first time

Share On

b-c-health-officials-urging-residents-to-celebrate-diwali-virtually-this-year-as-b-c-records-more-than-600-covid-19-cases-for-the-first-time

(File) -British Columbia's provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry giving her views during a press conference. - B.C. government

British Columbia health officials are urging residents to celebrate Diwali virtually this year, as the province reports a new daily record number of COVID-19 cases.

B.C. recorded 617 new cases on Friday, for a total of 20,985.

Officials also reported two new COVID-19-related fatalities, bringing the province's death toll to 290 over the course of the pandemic.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say in a joint statement that the number of cases shows it is a critical time for B.C., and residents need to work together to slow the number of infections.

They say people who would normally be gathering to celebrate the South Asian holiday of Diwali this weekend should stay home and connect virtually with family members and friends.

The plea comes a day after modelling data showed the number of cases has doubled every 13 days in the past few weeks, making it harder for contact tracers to keep up and break the chains of transmission.

Latest news

AlbertaOct 09, 2026

Calgary Massage Therapist Faces Four More Sexual Assault Charges

A Calgary massage therapist is facing four additional sexual assault charges after four more alleged victims came forward. Police arrested 53-year-old Yuriy Zhivov in July in connection with an alleged incident during an appointment at Kinesio Massage Therapy, located on 17 Avenue SW, in August 2025. Following the release of information about the investigation, four additional victims contacted police, alleging that Zhivov had also committed criminal acts against them. As a result of the investigation, officers executed a search warrant at Kinesio Massage Therapy on October 1, 2026, and arrest

poilievre-pushes-back-against-musks-call-for-canadian-provinces-to-separate

Poilievre Pushes Back Against Musk’s Call for Canadian Provinces to Separate

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has strongly criticized Elon Musk’s suggestion that Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan should separate from Canada, saying Canadians make their own decisions and should not waste time on foolish social media posts from people with no connection to the country. Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Burlington, Ontario, on Friday, Poilievre said the focus should remain on the real challenges facing Canadians, including rising grocery prices, the housing shortage and the future of the economy. He said Canada would not be affected by someone’s tweets

gaurav-yadav-appointed-permanent-punjab-dgp

IndiaOct 09, 2026

Gaurav Yadav Appointed Permanent Punjab DGP

The Punjab government has appointed IPS officer Gaurav Yadav as the permanent Director General of Police (DGP). He had been serving as the acting DGP since July 2022. With the appointment, Punjab Police will now have a permanent chief after operating under an acting DGP for nearly four years. The Punjab government had submitted a list of 14 IPS officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the selection of a permanent DGP.

poilievre-to-visit-alberta-to-deliver-speech-on-canadian-unity

AlbertaOct 09, 2026

Poilievre to Visit Alberta to Deliver Speech on Canadian Unity

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has announced that he will visit Alberta next week to deliver a speech on Canadian unity, just ahead of a referendum on Alberta separating from Canada. Speaking at a news conference in Ontario, Poilievre said he would also conduct more grassroots campaigning in the province. Asked about tech billionaire Elon Musk’s comments suggesting that Alberta, Saskatchewan and Quebec should separate from Canada, Poilievre said Canadians decide their own future. The premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan have dismissed Musk’s remarks.

CanadaOct 09, 2026

RCMP Union Raises Concerns Over Proposed Financial Crimes Agency

The RCMP union is raising concerns over Bill C-29, proposed legislation by the Canadian government to establish a new financial crimes agency to combat money laundering, online fraud and other financial crimes. Rob Farrer, president of the National Police Federation, told a parliamentary committee on Thursday that creating the new agency could further weaken the RCMP, which is already struggling with significant staffing and resource shortages. Under the government’s plan, 150 experienced RCMP investigators would initially be assigned to the new agency. Farrer objected to the proposal, argui

Related News

Poilievre Pushes Back Against Musk’s Call for Canadian Provinces to Separate

Poilievre Pushes Back Against Musk’s Call for Canadian Provinces to Separate

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has strongly criticized Elon Musk’s suggestion that Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan should separate from Canada, saying Canadians make their own decisions and should not waste time on foolish social media posts from people with no connection to the country. Speaking to reporters at a press conference in Burlington, Ontario, on Friday, Poilievre said the focus should remain on the real challenges facing Canadians, including rising grocery prices, the housing shortage and the future of the economy. He said Canada would not be affected by someone’s tweets

Nine Vehicles Collide on Alex Fraser Bridge, Two Seriously Injured

Nine Vehicles Collide on Alex Fraser Bridge, Two Seriously Injured

Delta Police are investigating a nine-vehicle collision on the Alex Fraser Bridge that left two people seriously injured. According to police, the crash occurred around midnight. Witnesses reported that two vehicles collided first, followed by several other vehicles crashing into one another as drivers approaching from behind were unable to brake in time. The two injured individuals were rushed to hospital, where their conditions were described as serious but not life-threatening. Police have ruled out impaired driving as a suspected factor in their initial investigation but said speed may hav

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby Unveils Healthcare Plan, Promises 20 New Urgent Care Centres

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby Unveils Healthcare Plan, Promises 20 New Urgent Care Centres

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby unveiled his party’s healthcare plan during the election campaign today, promising to open 20 new urgent community-care health centres across the province, including three in Surrey. Speaking at Simon Fraser University, where a new medical school is being developed, Eby also announced incentives for doctors to offer same-day appointments and appointments outside regular working hours to help patients access medical care without long waits. The plan also includes adding 1,000 new seats in post-secondary institutions to train future healthcare professionals. In addit

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital