BC is reporting 525 new cases of COVID-19 and three more deaths. That brings the number of deaths linked to the pandemic to 284. The bulk of the new cases continue to be in the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal heath regions. The province now has 5,133active cases of COVID-19, with 142 people in hospital, including 46 in intensive care.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says provinces and territories should not hesitate to ask for federal help to fight COVID-19. He says federal supports should make it easier to make decisions about what to shut down or open. Trudeau insists health measures should not be compromised because of economic fears. He says that's how we'd end up with a worse pandemic, more people sick and more businesses harmed. "Government will give 61-million dollars to help Indigenous communities in Manitoba" Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is addressing the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Manitoba. Trudeau says th

More than two-thirds of Canadians say they would support a curfew if the COVID-19 pandemic became serious enough, according to a new poll.The survey by Léger and the Association for Canadian Studies found that 67 per cent of Canadians would back a temporary nighttime curfew,10 p.m. to 5 a.m., to curb viral spread in dire circumstances.However, respondents' enthusiasm varied by age, with young people less disposed to the notion.Fifty-five per cent of respondents aged 18 to 34 said they would support a curfew, while three-quarters of those aged 55 and over endorsed it, including 80 per cent of

British Columbia's top doctor has clarified a public health order requiring people living in two health regions to cut back on their social interactions in order to slow the rising COVID-19 case count. The details of Dr. Bonnie Henry's latest directive on Saturday are now posted online and explain that people in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser health regions may only socialize with those in their ``core bubble.'' The provincial webpage notes a person's core bubble consists of others who live in the same home and may also include a partner, co-parent, relative or friend who lives in a differe

Effective immediately, the Province is extending the freeze on rent increases until July 10, 2021, under the powers of the Emergency Program Act and COVID-19 Related Measures Act. This is an interim measure to provide stability and advance notice for renters and landlords while a new cabinet is sworn in. Increases set to happen on Dec. 1, 2020, are cancelled, along with all pending increases through to July. "We know many renters are still facing income loss and even the slightest increase in rent could be extremely challenging. For that reason, we are extending the freeze on rent increases to

One of 10 possible COVID-19 vaccine candidates in late-stage testing around the world is showing early signs of success. Pfizer says preliminary data from trials shows its vaccine may be 90 per cent effective, but there are still multiple questions that need to be answered. They include how long the vaccine's effects last and if it also protects older people as well as younger people. Ottawa has signed a procurement deal with Pfizer for 20-million doses of the vaccine. Stock markets skyrocket this morning The declaration of Joe Biden as US President-elect and the news of early data suggesting

British Columbia's provincial health officer says dangerously high and rapid increases in COVID-19 cases has forced a reversal of the restart plan for two weeks in the Vancouver Coastal and Fraser Health regions. Dr. Bonnie Henry says residents in those areas need to significantly reduce their social activities in their homes, for travel, in indoor activities and at workplaces. Henry says people in the area should be travelling only for essential reasons and there will be no social gatherings of any size with anyone other than those in their immediate household. She says it's essential for sc

Democrat Joe Biden has won Pennsylvania, surpassing the 270 electoral vote threshold to take the White House and become the 46th president of the United States.Biden also carried Arizona, Wisconsin and Michigan on his path to the presidency, flipping states that President Donald Trump won in 2016.Pennsylvania was a must-win state for Trump.The 77-year-old Biden was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and sought to contrast his working-class roots with the affluent Trump's by casting the race as "Scranton versus Park Avenue."Biden's victory came after more than three days of uncertainty as electio

Another grim COVID-19 case count for BC as those who tested positive in the last day reaches 589 people. The provincial health officer has called a news conference for Saturday, an unusual weekend occurrence for Dr. Bonnie Henry. The statement gives no hint about what will be announced, although Henry did say earlier this week that they were consulting with regional health authorities on more specific restrictions as case counts rise. Today's figures shows 402 people in the Fraser Health regiontested positive and two more people have died. 104 people are hospitalized, 28 of whom are in inten