Here are the top stories of the week.
Interior Health confirms five more cases in the COVID-19 outbreak in West Kelowna
Interior Health has confirmed five more cases of COVID-19 related to an outbreak of foreign temporary workers at a farm in West Kelowna, bringing the total number of cases to 19. The five cases come from results pending after the first announcement of the outbreak on March 31.
“The energy sector has been irreparably destroyed”: Expert on the effects of COVID-19 on the economy
While British Columbians love the low gas prices after the COVID-19 crisis, it is an omen of bad things in the energy industry, according to an expert.
Dan McTeague, President of Canadians for Affordable Energy (CAE) and former MP, said the ever-falling prices for resources in the energy sector are detrimental to the economy in several ways.
Historic photograph shows the response of the city of Kelowna to the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic
For weeks, health officials across BC have urged people to stay indoors and practice physical distancing to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
However, this is not the first time the city of Kelowna has been subject to such restrictions. In 1918 the world was hit by the deadliest pandemic in history, the Spanish flu.
DW Sutherland, the mayor of Kelowna, published a public notice in 1918 banning any gathering of more than 10 people in order to limit the spread of the deadly virus.
COVID-19: Social media usage increases when the country stays indoors
Messaging in countries hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic has increased by more than 50 percent in the last month, according to Facebook’s Analytics division. Voice and video calls on Messenger and WhatsApp have more than doubled in the same locations.
On all social media platforms, WhatsApp is seeing the greatest usage gains as people want to stay connected. Overall, according to Kantar.com – a leading data, insights and consulting company – WhatsApp has seen its usage increase by 40 percent.
North Okanagan District advises against campfires amid COVID-19 https://t.co/SDD7szdNOd
– Kelowna Capital News (@KelownaCapNews) April 4, 2020
For the time being, firefighters are only called to the most serious medical emergencies – a change from the norm that has been in place since the 1980s.
Typically, firefighters are dispatched to many emergency medical calls. West Kelowna Fire Department chief Jason Brolund said Wednesday that a briefing from BC Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, I’ve changed that.
COVID-19: Central fire departments in Okanagan only respond to serious medical calls https://t.co/vbFooENWjV
– Kelowna Capital News (@KelownaCapNews) April 3, 2020
The 70-year-old Kelowna man was arrested after gunshots were reportedly fired in a house
A 70-year-old Kelowna man may face charges after the Kelowna RCMP responded to a report of gunfire at a residence on March 28.
Police said the 70-year-old man aimed a gun at another man in the house on the 700 block of Caddwer Avenue in Kelowna shortly after 4:30 p.m.
Officers say the gun was later unloaded at the residence.
Bonfires banned in central Okanagan to aid COVID-19 efforts
The Central Okanagan Regional Ward now bans all bonfires in the entire region.
The RDCO said the ban will remain in place until further notice to aid COVID-19 health efforts by reducing potential air pollution.
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