Here are the latest headlines that you need to know in regards to the novel coronavirus in British Columbia:
Over 5,000 laid off from Air Canada
A union official says Air Canada is laying off more than 5,000 flight attendants as the country’s largest airline cuts routes and parks planes due to COVID-19. Wesley Lesosky, who heads the Air Canada component of CUPE’s airline division, says the carrier is laying off about 3,600 mainline employees as well as all of Air Canada Rouge’s 1,549 flight attendants. According to the airline company, these are only temporary.
Island Health warns of possible COVID-19 exposure at UVic, Saanich Commonwealth Place
The health authority said people who attended three classes at the University of Victoria (UVic) on March 12, those who went to the swimming pool at Saanich Commonwealth Place on March 12 and those who attended a kickboxing class at Saanich Commonwealth Place on March 15 may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus.
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More Trudeau updates coming
Much like he has everyday this week, Justin Trudeau is set to address Canadians with more updates on the plan to combat novel coronavirus. The Prime Minister is believed to provide more details about the upcoming border closure along with a focus on front line medical workers. You can watch Trudeau live on CHEK New’s Facebook page or YouTube channel, beginning at 8:15 am PT.
Island Days parade cancelled
The Island Farms Victoria Day Parade scheduled for May 18 has been officially cancelled. This will be the first time in 12 decades that the event has been cancelled. According to the Greater Victoria Festival Society, the 122nd Annual event was expected to see close to 100,000 people lined along the Douglas Street Parade Route
A Canadian has died overseas from COVID-19
A Canadian has died in Japan from complications related to coronavirus. Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne confirmed the news on Twitter and shared his condolences with the family of the as yet unnamed Canadian. The federal government is providing consular assistance to the deceased’s family. Although all the details haven’t been released, there were several Canadians who had been onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship that were being treated in Japanese hospitals.
California announces statewide stay-at-home orders
California Governor Gavin Newsome has issued stay-at-home orders for 40-million people in the state, saying people will be able to shop for food and seek medical care, but should practice social distancing. California has approximately 1,000 confirmed cases of the virus
Global landscape: by the numbers
Coronavirus cases across the world have reached higher than 250,000 and the death toll has hit the 10,000 mark. Yesterday Italy surpassed China for the number of deaths resulting from the disease with 3,405.
Graham Cox
