Dr. Bonnie Henry announced new cases of COVID-19 in British Columbia during her daily briefing in Victoria. (BC Government Flickr)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

WEEKEND UPDATE

Spike in COVID-19 cases attributed to community transmission, one additional case on Vancouver Island

Apr 25, 2020 | 1:19 PM

NANAIMO — The number of COVID-19 cases reported by the province has jumped by 95, for a total of 1,948.

One new case was identified in the Island Health region, bringing the tally around Vancouver Island to 115.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said during her briefing on Saturday, April 25 almost half of the reported cases on Saturday were attributed to community transmission at the Mission Correctional Centre where 40 inmates and staff have tested positive in the last 24 hours.

Dr. Henry also said 1,137 people had fully recovered from COVID-19 in British Columbia, leaving the number of active cases in the province at 711.

The provincial death toll also reached 100 in the past 24 hours, including the first fatality on a First Nation. Dr. Henry said the passing of First Nations elders is a major loss for everybody.

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“Our elders in our first nations communities are culture and history keepers. When they become ill and die, we all lose and I want you to know we feel that collective loss today.”

Dr. Henry also spoke on taking care of people living on the streets or with no fixed address during the COVID-19 pandemic. On Saturday morning, the B.C. Government announced camps in Vancouver and Victoria were to be dismantled, with residents moving into hotel rooms and emergency locations

“Everyone in B.C. deserves to feel safe, protected and supported through these crises. Safe physical distancing and self-isolation when you’re ill can be really difficult when your housing is precarious and this is further compounded for people who may also be living with mental health or substance use or addicting issues.”

96 people remain in hospital across B.C. with 41 in intensive or critical care.

Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $62.5 million in federal funding for fish and seafood producers across the country. Money will be used for updating plants in order to abide by health orders in their respective provinces.

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