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
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.