Evening News Update for April 17, 2020

COVID-19 has claimed the life of another person in the Island Health Region, bringing the total number of deaths here to 3. Island Health says the latest death was a person in their 80s who had been in hospital. As of yesterday, there were three new cases of the virus in the Island Health region, bringing the total number of cases here to 92. However, most people, 53 have recovered. That leaves 32 people recovering at home, 9 in hospital, with two of those in critical care. Today's numbers will be presented later this afternoon and will be included in your 6 pm news update.Meanwhile, new data from the Ministry of Health confirm BC has flattened the curve. And projections suggest we could see some loosening of restrictions, starting sometime in May. The Provincial Health Officer says international travel and face to face business meetings will not happen for at least another year. However, Dr. Bonnie Henry says it is likely that some cancelled surgeries will be scheduled over the summer, and there may be a small number of classrooms reopened. She believes people will continue to work from home, although some businesses may be re-opened. As well, some non-essential travel restrictions may be relaxed during the summer months, so that people will be able to spend time at their cabins but physical distancing measures like the ones in grocery stores will not be lifted for some time to come.People who live in the Island Health region will have a chance to ask questions of the region's health officer and local politicians next week. The Health Authority is hosting a virtual town hall meeting on Tuesday, starting at 7:15 pm. The panellists include Health Authority CEO Kathy Mitchell, the region's Medical Health Officer, Dr. Richard Stanwick, the MLA for the Cowichan Valley, Sonia Furstenau and the MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin, Mitzi Dean. You can join the live stream on the BC Government's Facebook page or its YouTube channel. Speaking of live streams, there is one tonight, that will showcase Vancouver Island musicians. It's called "Rock For Relief" a fundraiser for the Nanaimo and Victoria Foundations. Viewers can choose which Foundation to support. The lineup includes David Foster, Randy and Tal Bachman, Jesse Roper, Kathryn Calder of The New Pornographers, Carmanah, The Tenors along with Nanaimo's own Aaron Pritchert and Lauren Spencer Smith who recently won a spot on American Idol. The musicians will perform from their livingrooms. The show begins at 8 o'clock tonight on CHEK television or you can live stream it on CHEK's Facebook page or its YouTube channel.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: [email protected]: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.