B.C.’s top doctor offers condolences to family of Snowbird member killed in plane crash

B.C.’s health officer and health minister are offering their condolences to the family of Snowbird member Captain Jennifer Casey after she died in a plane crash yesterday in Kamloops.

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer gave an update on novel coronavirus during a press conference Monday, May 18.

During the press conference, they also took the time to acknowledge the crash, which happened yesterday during the Canadian Forces Snowbirds cross-Canada tour called Operation INSPIRATION. The snowbirds were flying across the country to boost morale during the COVID-19 pandemic and offer support for frontline workers.

"We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the friends and families and coworkers of captain Jennifer Casey and of course the Canadian SNowbirds we know that they bring Canadians together and we know that this is a loss that will be felt with all of us," Henry said, adding that she wishes Captain Richard MacDougall, who was injured in the crash, a speedy recovery.

READ MORE: Snowbirds cross-Canada flight postponed following death of member

There has been 16 new COVID-19 cases over the last two days in B.C. and two additional deaths. Both deaths were in long-term care homes in the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions, Henry said.

There are 19 current outbreaks in the province, and there have been no new outbreaks reported in the last two days, Henry said. An outbreak at the Dufferin Care Centre in the Vancouver Coastal Health region has been declared over.

There are 335 active COVID-19 cases in B.C with 49 patients in the hospital and 12 in intensive care. with a total of 2,044 cases reported in total in the province. No new cases have been reported in Interior Heath.

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