BC is reporting 33 new cases of COVID-19 and two new deaths. That raises the total number of cases to 2,288 with 126 deaths, while more than 1,500 people have fully recovered. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says everyone is looking forward to a new phase after the May long weekend when some COVID-19 restrictions are eased. But she says just because it's allowed, doesn't mean everyone should expand their social bubbles or reopen businesses depending on their own unique circumstances.

The B.C. government is announcing what it describes as an ``ambitious plan'' to rescheduled thousands of cancelled surgeries and increase capacity in the health-care system. The government estimates it will take 17 to 24 months to clear a backlog of 30,000 patients whose surgeries have been cancelled or weren't scheduled because COVID-19 health restrictions. It says those patients joined or remained on an existing backlog, bringing the total waiting list to 93,000. The first year of the plan will cost $250 million, and includes hiring additional staff, expanding hours, opening new and unused

Overdose deaths in British Columbia jumped in March compared with February, and marked the first time the monthly death toll exceeded 100 in the past year. The BC Coroners Service says 113 people died in March of suspected illicit drug toxicity, which is a three per cent dip from March of last year but represents a 61 per cent increase from February. It says the last time there were more than 100 deaths in a month was in March 2019. The service says 76 per cent of those who have died from illicit overdose deaths this year were men, and the Northern Health authority has the highest rate of ove

Students in K to 12 education will be returning to school in September, with only a partial return this school year. Students in post-secondary education will be returning to school in September with a mix of online and in-class learning. On Wednesday, B.C. Premier John Horgan said classes will fully resume in September. Routine daily screening protocols would be place at schools, but provincial health officer Doctor Bonnie Henry is expected to provide more details. Premier John Horgan says the province wants to do a dry run in June to consider how the education system could operate to prevent

British Columbians will move forward with safely restarting their province beginning in mid-May, according to a plan announced by Premier John Horgan. Under B.C.'s Restart Plan, government will work closely with public health officials, businesses and labour organizations to lift restrictions in phases, gradually allowing for more social and economic activity, while closely monitoring health information to minimize the risk to the public. "Our plan puts safety first. British Columbians have made enormous sacrifices so far, and it's thanks to them that we're able to begin to lift some restri

The province has announced 23 new cases of COVID-19, raising the total to 2,255 cases. Three more deaths have also been recorded. Two in the Vancouver Coastal Health region and one on Vancouver Island, for a total of 124 deaths. Two thirds of people who tested positive for the novel coronavirus have recovered. But chief health officer Doctor Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix say in a statement that cases would quickly surge without continued vigilance.

Police say Metro Vancouver gangs may be producing their own illegal drug supplies in an effort to get around border closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Vancouver police announced officers uncovered millions of dollars worth of drugs, including 20 kilograms of what's suspected to be fentanyl, as part of a four month investigation. Inspector Bill Spearn says police believe the seizure shows gangs may be producing their own drugs to get around closer scrutiny at ports and the Canada-US border. He says it's another example of gangs changing drug trafficking methods to deal with law enforcem

Major crimes detectives have joined a missing person investigation in British Columbia's Interior looking into the disappearance of a man that RCMP say is suspicious.Mounties in Quesnel say 33-year-old Louis Korkowski was last seen or heard from on May 4.Efforts to locate the five-foot four-inch, 110-pound man have led to a possible link with two vehicles, a green 2003 Ford Explorer and a grey 2007 Toyota Matrix.Police say the Explorer has a dented passenger door and licence plate KF087R, while the Matrix has black paint and peeling damage on the roof, sticker residue on the passenger door an

BC is reporting only eight new cases of COVID-19 but four new deaths. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says that brings the total number of cases to 2,232 and 121 deaths. Henry says there are now active outbreaks at 22 long-term care centres but the one at Lynne Valley the first major outbreak in the province is over. She says the province has put the brakes on COVID-19 but it's too early for people to start planning play dates and expanding their social connections.