HON COVID-19 update April 14 2020 -  BC Minster of Health Adrian Dix introduces Dr. Bonnie Henry for the COVID-19 update. Dr. Bonnie Henry reports that we have 27 new cases in the last 24 hours bringing the total up to 1517. 658 cases in Vancouver coastal health region, 601 in the Fraser health region, 89 in Vancouver island health region, 141 in interior health region and 28 in northern health region. Three additional deaths have been reported bringing the British Columbia death total up to 72. All additional deaths have taken place in ICU’s.

One additional long term care facility outbreak reported in Vancouver's south Greenville park lodge. 20 other long term health facilities have been compromised,165 residents along with 125 staff have tested positive. Three additional cases have been reported at the nursery facility in the interior. The outbreak at the Okanagan Correctional Facility remains at only one positive case. An ongoing outbreak labeled “concerning” by the Doctor has been reported at the medium security mission correctional facility in the lower mainland, there are 41 recorded positive cases with 7 inmates displaced to hospitals around bc.

In response is an ongoing effort to “beef up” the outbreak response as well as outbreak prevention and control measures. As part of the process of caring for inmates a task force has been created by the Abbotsford Regional Hospital to ensure the safety of inmates and care workers during the recovery process. A mobile care unit is being relocated to the Abbotsford area to provide additional support to front line workers. Some believe that the summer heat will help slow the spread of COVID-19, but this is unfortunately not the case. Heat does not hinder the viral nature of this particular virus.

While many businesses remain closed the insurance office still offers service by way of phone. You can still do things like getting new plates for a car although the delivery is through mail service only. If you are affiliated with School District 74 (gold trail) a public survey is available to fill out. The survey asks community members for input on how the 2020-21 budget should be spent. The survey asks questions along the lines of “What feedback would you like considered by the board of education while planning the 2020-21 budget?” as well as “If the board has dollars available for one time projects that would not incur ongoing costs what would you like them to consider?”.

A petition has been circulating that opposes the closing of “The Slough”. This was a popular area for local people to come and walk but recently was closed off by the Ashcroft terminal for safety and liability reasons.

CERB update --  a government issued statement has confirmed that an individual can not benefit from both EI and the CERB, compensation will be expected from those who benefited from both funds.