The province announced 16 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, heading into the final few days of the second incubation period since the restart plan began in mid-May. (BC Government Flickr)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

POSITIVE NEWS

Active COVID-19 cases increase slightly heading into key weekend

Jun 12, 2020 | 4:34 PM

NANAIMO — B.C. continues to land all the right blows in its fight against COVID-19.

The province confirmed 16 new cases of the virus has been detected in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of active cases to 187, up four from Thursday.

Friday’s update is one of the last in the province’s second incubation period since entering phase two of the restart plan.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry previously said they would use data from the weeks following B.C.’s introduction of the restart plan to determine the next steps for returning to normal life.

“We will have a good understanding of how we’re doing around mid-June when we’ve had these couple of incubation periods. We’ll have the data we need to determine our timing for further actions,” Dr. Henry said in late May.

shaking

Minor early morning earthquake rattles Nanaimo and surrounding area

1h ago

step by step

'It's incredibly isolating:' weekend run looks to strengthen pregnancy loss community in Nanaimo

5h ago

shiny new toy

'This is a great day for Qualicum Beach:' New waterfront walkway/viewing platform opens

17h ago

Restaurants, pubs and retail services were permitted to re-open under phase two of the plan in May, with revised public health orders slowly allowing more people inside.

On Wednesday, the province allowed restaurants and pubs to set their own capacity limits suitable for their available space instead of a blanket 50 per cent occupancy.

One new death was confirmed by the province on Friday, a patient in the Vancouver region. To date, 168 people have died from COVID-19 including five on Vancouver Island.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW