Good morning {{First name}}!

We’ve got some surprise guests on the Island—four Canadian passengers from the hantavirus-linked cruise will be isolating in the Island Health region for a minimum of 21 days, having arrived Sunday.

I hope they continue to experience no symptoms and can put all of this behind them soon.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

Today: 🌦️ 21 / 11

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 16 / 8

Day after: 🌦️ 15 / 9

7-day forecast

The passengers—one of whom is an Islander—arrived at Victoria International Airport (YYJ) on Sunday evening, where they were met by Island Health public health workers for screening. They were then transferred to pre-arranged locations to begin quarantining.

Island Health did not confirm whether the passengers remained on the South Island for their isolation period or were relocated to another area of the Island.  

The four passengers were identified as a person in their 70s from the Island, a British Columbian in their 50s who lives abroad, and a couple in their 70s from Yukon.

An outbreak of Andes hantavirus on MV Hondius, a Dutch cruise ship that was scheduled to tour the South Atlantic and Antarctica, has been making global headlines for weeks after the World Health Organization confirmed three people died from the virus. 

Andes hantavirus is primarily spread by rodents, though it can circulate through contact with an infected person. At least nine cases of the virus have been linked to the cruise.

MV Hondius was anchored outside Cape Verde for three days before docking in Spain. From there, the Canadians flew to an airport in Quebec before being transferred to YYJ.

Island Health told Capital Daily that the four people isolating on the Island have not shown symptoms, though there are “established processes in place should anyone need medical care while isolating.”

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said the passengers will be closely monitored for 42 days—the maximum incubation period for hantavirus—but will likely be completely isolated for only 21 days.

Read the full story here.

Milling and paving on Blanshard: Today through Friday. Northbound lanes reduced from Caledonia to Hillside. [City of Vic]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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A grassroots renters group wants the city to allow people to chill at home this summer when temperatures soar.

The Victoria Tenants Union (VicTU) is supporting a motion, scheduled to be heard Thursday at Victoria council, that calls for the city to explore ways to ensure landlords can’t stop tenants from installing air conditioning. 

The motion also pushes for rental units to have at least one room where the temperature can’t exceed 26 C, building on a new bylaw—a Canadian first—in New Westminster. 

The VicTU wants the onus to install and pay for the necessary cooling systems placed on landlords rather than on tenants.

“Rents are already far too high,” said Harland Bird, spokesperson for the VicTU. “The right to collect that rent should at the very least require landlords to provide tenants with living spaces that are actually livable.”

Harland says some tenants are reticent to complain about the heat for fear it gives landlords an incentive to evict them under the cover of renovating.

“Many of the tenants we have spoken to have complained about the heat in their apartments, although admittedly most are simply resigned to it because they don't want to rock the boat or are too scared to request that something be done about it for fear of eviction,” Bird told Capital Daily.

Bird noted that 24 people in Greater Victoria died during the 2021 heat dome, and many more suffered.

It may not get that hot every day in Victoria, he said, but “hot apartments do not necessarily cool very much overnight.”

🦋 Wings looking at you: A Western one-eyed sphinx moth, seen in Campbell River, shows off its incredible wing pattern. [Facebook photos]

🧑‍🎨 Wild Art for the Big of Heart: tonight-May 31, at Gage Gallery.

🎭 Gilbert & Sullivan's The Gondoliers runs May 16& 17 in Sidney. Last chance to book tickets for this charming, adventurous operetta—don’t miss the boat!*

🎢 Luxton Spring Fair is this Victoria Day long weekend, starting on Thursday.

*Sponsored Listing

Indoor temperatures soar at Colwood school
Students and staff at Royal Bay Secondary School say classroom temperatures have exceeded 30 C for multiple days as the South Island experiences a warm-weather streak. Students say the heat is worse in the school’s new wing, built in 2020. Some teachers have been shortening classes to allow students time to cool off outside. The Sooke Teachers’ Association president says this has been an issue for the school since it opened 11 years ago. [Times Colonist]

Police cite street racing as cause of Trans-Canada Hwy crash
Two drivers had their vehicles taken away for a week and were issued $196 fines and six penalty points after a high-speed incident on the TCH on Saturday night. A 2002 Ford Ranger rolled several times before settling on all four tires in the highway median in View Royal. Police said the Ranger driver, who was hospitalized, was street racing with the driver of a 2021 Dodge Ram. The six penalty points remain on a driver’s record for five years and can result in driving suspension. [RCMP]

Renters' group concerned about proposed high-rise in Esquimalt
The Victoria Tenants Union (VicTU) says private developers can contribute to the housing crisis by demolishing existing housing to make room for unaffordable units. The group thinks that’s what's going to happen after Esquimalt’s Council approved a development permit for a 21-storey, 327-unit residential tower that would replace residential buildings at 1340 Sussex and 1337 Saunders, which contain a total of 68 units. “Vulnerable and low-income families are being kicked out of their affordable homes to make way for unaffordable units that these families cannot afford,” the group warned. [Black Press]

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🗣️ David Sedaris: The writer and humourist will discuss his work and answer questions at the Royal Theatre tonight. 7:30pm. [Info]

🌱 Container Bog Gardening: Hear from naturalist Justin Dunning, who will teach the basics of bog gardening at First Memorial Funeral Services & Garden of Memories tonight. 7:30pm. [Info] 

🔮 Victoria Psychic Fair: Explore a range of psychic, intuitive, and spiritual services at this week-long fair at the Bay Centre. Today through May 17. [Info]

🔭 The Universe Through a Lens: A Journey in Capturing the Night Sky: Amateur astrophotographer Megan Meraz will share how to photograph the night sky at UVic (Elliott Bldg. 168) tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info] 

🎻 Cascadia Strings: The award-winning string collective will perform at The Coda. Thursday. 6:30pm. [Info]

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Highland Games: The 163rd edition of the Celtic games festival is happening this weekend at Topaz Park. Saturday & Sunday. [Info]

Sunday’s headlines: Topaz Park pickleball courts open; Weekly roundup; Humpbacks at risk despite BC Ferries slowdown. [May 10]

Another grey whale found dead near the Island, this time in Washington state. [King5News]

Saanich wants the province to help fund mental-health unit. [CHEK]

Young people looking for work? Here’s some advice. [CP / Times Columnist]

Pretty gullible: Seagull screamer soars to victory in Beacon Hill Park contest. [Black Press]

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