Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has announced 45 new cases of COVID-19 in BC bringing the total to 231. Dr. Bonnie Henry says most are at home in self isolation and there have been no additional deaths. But Henry says it's extremely important that people and businesses follow social distancing rules aimed at slowing the spread of the virus. She says legal orders are a measure of last resort but people are expected to follow voluntary recommendations to stay a safe distance away from each other.

Canada's top public health doctor says to expect the virus that causes COVID-19 to stick around for a long time. Dr. Theresa Tam says we need to be prepared for more than one wave of the novel coronavirus. She says we don't know whether COVID-19 will fade and resurge as seasons pass. But Tam says we can expect to learn a great deal from the current fight and get better and better prepared.

BC and Saskatchewan are the latest provinces to declare states of emergency in the face of the global novel coronavirus pandemic. BC Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth says it will better protect the public. He says the legislature will resume on Monday with a reduced number of members to pass legislation to ensure continuity of government and response to COVID-19. In Saskatchewan, fitness centres, casinos and bingo halls have been ordered to close until further notice.

The latest numbers of confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases in Canada as of 6:40 p.m. on March 18, 2020. There are 705 confirmed and presumptive cases in Canada. British Columbia: 231 confirmed (including 7 deaths, 5 resolved) Ontario: 212 confirmed (including 1 death, 5 resolved) Alberta: 97 confirmed Quebec: 94 confirmed (including 1 death) Saskatchewan: 2 confirmed, 14 presumptive Manitoba: 8 confirmed, 7 presumptive Nova Scotia: 3 confirmed, 9 presumptive New Brunswick: 2 confirmed, 9 presumptive Canadians quarantined at CFB Trenton: 8 confirmed Newfoundland and Labrador: No confirmed

In Vancouver, Mayor Kennedy Stewart is convening a special virtual council meeting on Thursday aimed at getting support for the declaration of a local state of emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stewart says the measure would allow the city to take action against people who are hoarding. It would also let the city act on businesses that have remained open when they should be closed to prevent the spread of the disease.

A Vancouver man in northern Italy says social distancing directives from the Italian government felt like ``suggestions'' when they were first made several weeks ago as the COVID-19 pandemic flared. But with Italy now within the European epicentre of the outbreak, Alex Grant says Italians now consider self-isolation a ``sacred responsibility.'' Grant and his partner live in a one-bedroom apartment in Milan and he says they are both practising self-isolation. He says he goes out once a week to grocery shop, there are no shortages, no hoarding, and his advice is ``take the situation seriously,

Health Minister Patty Hajdu says Canada is working to increase the number of ventilators it has to meet an expected urgent need as a result of required treatment for COVID-19. She says both in Canada and abroad, officials are also working on figuring out the best treatments for the illness, and finding a vaccine. Hajdu says procurement efforts for medical equipment need to take into account making sure all countries have access to what they need, and those demands are evolving in real-time.

Westjet Airlines says some of its passengers may have been exposed to people infected with the novel coronavirus on recent flights.The Calgary-based company made the announcement on their website and social media Tuesday, listing the flights and affected rows.It says passengers in affected rows are considered close contacts to those infected and could be at risk of exposure.The company says a total of 14 flights between March 12 and Feb. 28 had passengers on board who tested positive for COVID-19.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the Liberal government is going to provide $27 billion in direct support to Canadian workers and businesses to help them get through the economic crisis sparked by the COVID-19 outbreak. There will also be $55 billion to help Canadians meet liquidity needs through tax deferrals. There will be an emergency care benefit for those for those who fall ill, need to self-isolate or have to take care of family member with COVID-19 but fail to qualify for employment insurance. There will be an emergency support benefit for those who lose their jobs and don't qualify f