Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the first two deaths on Vancouver Island from COVID-19. Health Minister Adrian Dix said 8 people with the virus are currently in hospital on Vancouver Island. (B.C. Government)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

COVID-19 update

First 2 COVID-19 deaths on Vancouver Island announced

Apr 2, 2020 | 3:19 PM

NANAIMO — The first two deaths on Vancouver Island have been recorded from the evolving COVID-19 health crisis.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry made the announcement during her daily media briefing on Thursday, April 2.

Province-wide six new deaths from the virus were reported over the last 24 hours for a total of 31.

55 new cases of the virus were recorded for a total of 1121, including 72 cases in the Island Health region.

The number of people hospitalized from COVID-19 grew slightly to 149, of which 68 are in intensive care.

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Dr. Henry announced the first case of the virus has been confirmed at a provincial prison, stating an inmate has COVID-19 at the Okanagan Correctional Centre in Oliver, B.C.

She said the male prisoner has been isolated.

Dr. Henry said 641 people who contracted COVID-19 in the province have fully recovered, up by 35 since Wednesday.

She said while the number of cases and hospitalizations continues to rise, those increases are occurring by small amounts.

“That I truly believe is part of the reason why we are seeing the growth manageable way here in B.C. because of what everyone is doing together.”

Dr. Henry expressed at length the importance of travelers arriving back home in B.C. to take precautions to help suppress the virus.

“Making sure without exception people who have come into BC from around the world are immediately complying with the federal quarantine orders and our provincial orders to self isolate, to quarantine for 14 days,” Dr. Henry said.

More than 44,000 British Columbians have been tested for COVID-19.

Across Canada there are more than 11,000 confirmed cases of the virus and 130 deaths.

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