Vancouver Island adds 4 new COVID-19 cases as B.C. eases restrictions
Health officials have identified four new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Island region Tuesday, as B.C. enters Step 2 of its restart plan.
The new cases were among 108 cases found across the province over the last 24 hours.
B.C. has now reported 146,561 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began, including 5,136 found in the island region.
There are currently 85 active cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Island region, according to the BCCDC, including two people who are in hospital for treatment, neither of whom require critical care.
Island Health identified the locations of 56 of the active cases Tuesday, including 41 in the South Island, seven in the Central Island and eight in the North Island.
Health officials say no COVID-19-related deaths have occurred over the past 24 hours. Since the pandemic began, 1,734 people have died of the virus in B.C., including 41 victims in the Vancouver Island region.
Approximately 76.1 per cent of adults in B.C. have now received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, while 74.4 per cent of people aged 12 and older have received their first dose.
In total, B.C. has administered 4,102,905 doses of COVID-19 vaccine, some 657,491 of which are second doses.
B.C. EASING RESTRICTIONS
Tuesday marked the official start of Step 2 of the province's reopening plan.
Step 2 means that travel is no longer restricted within the province, organized indoor gatherings of up to 50 people can restart – such as movie theatre screenings and banquet hall events – and outdoor gatherings of up to 50 people can be hosted.
Restrictions were also eased for sports events, indoor worship services and liquor can be served until midnight at restaurants and bars.
Health officials noted that restrictions such as physical distancing and staying home if feeling unwell are still in effect.
"If you are considering visiting another community for recreational travel, be aware that some people and some communities are moving at a slower pace – a pace that works for them," said provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix in a joint statement Tuesday.
"These communities may not be ready to welcome visitors at this time, so please be respectful when making any travel plans."
Step 3 of B.C.'s restart plan is scheduled to take place on July 1 at the earliest.
"As has been the case since the start of the pandemic, our success in this next phase is dependent on all of us doing our part to keep COVID-19 low and slow," said Henry and Dix.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.