Here’s the latest on the COVID-19 pandemic in Surrey, White Rock and beyond for Wednesday, May 6. This information will be updated as information becomes available:
• Dr. Bonnie Henry said today 2,255 people have tested positive for the virus and 1,494 of them have since recovered.
• South Surrey teacher runs DIY marathon after Vancouver event cancelled due to COVID-19.
• In the basement of his Surrey home, one Grade 12 student spends hours a day 3D-printing devices that people can use in the fight against COVID-19.
• FortisBC has adapted its B.C. based school programming to support those learning from home.
• One-fifth of Canadians say they will experience ‘high levels’ of depression if isolation continues into summer.
• Less than two weeks after announcing that the BC Hockey League would look to the provincial government for help during the COVID-19 pandemic, commissioner Chris Hebb has come out swinging against rumours suggesting the league is in danger of not returning next season.
• Problem solving a pandemic: a B.C. man on working for Doctors Without Borders in Pakistan.
• Canada is on track to complete its millionth test for COVID-19 sometime in the next 24 hours but is still falling far short of the number of daily tests Canada’s chief public health officer said last month should soon be possible.
• Premier John Horgan, Minister of Health Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, are to provide an update at 3 p.m. today on B.C.’s strategy going forward during the novel coronavirus.
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. expects a prolonged period of weak real estate prices because of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a return to pre-recession pricing more than two years away.
• B.C.’s top doctor says “everybody and their dog” has come up with some kind of contact-tracing app for COVID-19 but the province hasn’t found any that would meet its needs.
• B.C.’s provincial health officer is releasing more than televised COVID-19 updates.
• White Rock’s city manager says pursuing a zero-increase option would not be advisable in light of current uncertainty about the how long the effects of COVID-19 will be felt.
• British Columbia is expected to announce plans today for a gradual reopening of services, but the provincial health officer warns people should stay in their social “bubble” to prevent a surge of COVID-19 cases.
• Expecting mothers who lost their jobs due to COVID-19 in March, and have since been unable to access emergency federal aid, will become eligible Friday for a key benefit — without jeopardizing their parental leave.
tholmes@peacearchnews.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
