Here’s the latest on the COVID-19 pandemic in Surrey, White Rock and beyond for Friday, May 1. This will be updated as information becomes available:
• B.C. has recorded 33 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, as well as one more death due to the novel coronavirus.
• A Chilliwack poultry processing plant has been ordered to remain closed, following an outbreak of COVID-19 among staff working at the facility.
• At least a dozen Surrey business have either reworked their businesses, or are in the process of re-tooling, in order to manufacture personal protective equipment for frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Fraser Health has declared the COVID-19 outbreak at Guildford Seniors Village to be “over.”
• Annual Terry Fox runs across the country will be held virtually this year, organizers have confirmed, making it the latest large-scale event to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• A heartfelt show of appreciation added to the fence outside of a South Surrey retirement residence is brightening days for staff and residents alike.
• The B.C. government has opened applications for a one-time tax-free payment of $1,000 to people who have lost work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
• With more people home during the coronavirus pandemic, postal workers are dealing with more dogs, and sometimes aggressive dogs, as well.
• Schools in Delta may be closed for in-person instruction, but staff are making sure that vulnerable students still have access to the food they need at home.
• Hall of Fame board of directors voted unanimously to cancel the 2020 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend events due to safety and health concerns associated with COVID-19.
• A Canadian medical supplies manufacturer is bringing its operations to Kelowna to produce medical masks.
• Business organizations in Surrey and White Rock are preparing to jump-start the local economy when COVID-19 health and safety restrictions are finally lifted.
• Canadian Costco shoppers don’t need to wear face masks to enter the warehouse, despite new rules coming into effect for U.S. stores in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• B.C.’s slow increase in COVID-19 coronavirus cases continued with 25 new cases announced April 30, including 12 more cases in the outbreak at the medium security federal prison at Mission.
• Poison control officials in B.C. have been responding to a noticeable uptick in calls related to cleaning chemical exposures as many work to keep surfaces clean and COVID-19 free, sparking a warning from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.