Dr. Bonnie Henry announced more cases of COVID-19 in British Columbia, including the country's first death on Monday, Mar. 9. (CBC)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

FIRST DEATH

Province announces first COVID-19 death in Canada, no cases on Vancouver Island

Mar 9, 2020 | 4:29 AM

VICTORIA — The first fatality of COVID-19 in Canada has been announced.

A man living in a Lynn Valley Care Centre in North Vancouver passed away Sunday night from complications related to the coronavirus, announced provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry on Monday.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, loved ones and the staff who provided him care at his home in the Lynn Valley Care Centre,” Henry said.

She added the situation at the facility is evolving with continued testing of residents and staff.

There remain no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island, while 32 cases have been confirmed across B.C.

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Panic and misinformation around the virus spread through Nanaimo on Wednesday, Mar. 4 when one medical clinic closed unexpectedly.

Comments on social media fueled speculation around a possible COVID-19 case in Nanaimo, however the Office of the Provincial Health Officer confirmed to NanaimoNewsNOW on Thursday, Mar. 5 there were no new cases of COVID-19 in the Island Health region.

Despite no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island, many stores in the region have run low, or sold out of staple supplies such as toilet paper, hand sanitizer and face masks.

Officials are advising against cruise ship travel and large indoor, public gatherings that involve sharing of food or close contact such as hugs or handshakes.

“Consider having alternatives to those types of environments, particularly if they’re being attended by people who are elderly who are more likely to have severe illness or complications from this virus, “Henry said. “Forego some of the things we do in greetings in hugs, kissing, shaking hands and try to put some distance between us.”

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