Each day in Canada, a lot of news regarding COVID-19 comes out nationally and locally.

Now, we’re bringing you the top coronavirus headlines from Vancouver and across Canada all together in one place on a daily basis, to help you digest all the information and stay in the know with the biggest stories and developments.

Top COVID-19 stories for April 22 in Vancouver

Trudeau launches $9 billion emergency benefit plan for students

Early this morning, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a $9 billion plan to help Canadian students. The prime minister launched the Canada Emergency Student Benefit, and said the new benefit will give students $1,250 a month from May to August and $1,750 each month if the student takes care of someone else or has a disability. The period covered by the benefit will start on May 1 and will be delivered through the Canada Revenue Agency. Qualifications include postsecondary students who are going to school in September, or if you graduated in December 2019.

New cases, three more deaths in BC

Here in BC, health officials announced 71 new test-positive coronavirus cases and another three deaths as a result of the virus. During a press conference, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the total number of recorded cases in the province now sits at 1,795. Broken down by health region, Henry said there are 745 cases in Vancouver Coastal Health, 747 in Fraser Health, 110 on Vancouver Island, 153 in Interior Health, and 40 in Northern Health. Out of the total number of cases, 103 people are in hospital, with 46 of those in intensive care. A total of 1,079 people “are now considered fully recovered,” said Henry.

Fraser Health reports three new coronavirus cases at three different care facilities

Officials with Fraser Health have identified three new COVID-19 cases at three different care home locations in the region. The health authority said a resident at Eden Care Centre was diagnosed with coronavirus. Eden Care Centre, owned by Fraser Valley Care Centre Management Ltd., is located in Chilliwack and includes long-term care services. The resident is in isolation at home in long-term care. The second case involves a staff member at Guildford Seniors Village. Guildford Seniors Village, owned by Retirement Concepts, is located in Surrey and includes long-term care services. The staff member is in isolation at home. The third case involves a staff member at New Vista Care Home, which is located in Burnaby and includes long-term care and independent living. The staff member is in isolation at home.

Vancouver Folk Music Festival officially cancelled

The Vancouver Folk Music Festival has officially been cancelled for 2020. In a statement, organizers of the annual weekend festival, which takes place every July at Jericho Park, said the decision to cancel this year’s event was made “with heavy hearts,” but that “this is the responsible decision for everyone’s health.” Organizers said the decision comes after BC Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced that large events will “realistically” not be happening this summer. For those who have already purchased tickets to this year’s festival, organizers said they will receive an email from the festival letting them know their options moving forward.

Looking for more information and further updates? You can view all the day’s headlines in real-time here.