B.C. health officials are reporting 62 new COVID-19 cases since Friday, for a total of 3,115 cases in the province. It includes seven new cases in the Interior Health Authority, which has now had 209 people test positive for the virus.
Between July 10 to July 11 there were 21 new cases, followed by 20 cases from July 11 to July 12, and a further 21 cases on July 12 into July 13.
There have been 13 people so far who are linked to community exposure in downtown Kelowna between June 25 and July 9.
“To date, six individuals within the Interior Health region have tested positive and are linked to events that occurred downtown Kelowna during this time period,” said IHA spokesperson Susan Duncan.
People who were at the Discovery Bay Resort from July 1 to 5 and Boyce Gyro Beach Lodge on July 1 should self-isolate. Anyone who was at Cactus Club on Water Street from July 3 to 6 and Pace Spin Studio on July 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 or 9 should self-monitor and get tested should symptoms develop.
“Now is the time to pay attention to how we are feeling and what we are doing, to keep ourselves and those around us safe,” noted a statement from the B.C. government. “Spending an extended period of time in an enclosed space increases the likelihood that you will be exposed to someone with COVID-19.”
“As much as possible, British Columbians are asked to avoid closed spaces, crowds and close contact with others.”
Outbreak at Oliver cherry farm
Interior Health has also issued an isolation order for Krazy Cherry Fruit Co. in Oliver where two people have tested positive.
One person is self-isolating at home while the second person – a temporary foreign worker – is isolating off the farm. At this time, a link between these two cases has not been identified, but both people likely contracted the virus in the province.
“The TFW went through the 14-day self-isolation program and tested negative for COVID-19 before starting to work at the farm,” said a statement from Interior Health.
The isolation order applies to all 36 temporary foreign workers and nine other people on the farm, who are unable to leave while further testing takes place. Access to the farm is also being restricted.
Health officials urging people be be cautious
There were also two COVID-19 deaths in the Vancouver Coastal Health area for a provincial total of 189. As it stands, there are 208 active cases in the province, with 14 people in hospital, five of whom are in intensive care – similar to Friday’s update.
“Until a vaccine or effective treatment is available, our focus is to keep new cases low and slow. And to do this, all of us need to do our part, to show kindness and patience with those around us and take precautions to protect each other,” added Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry.
“We must not lose sight of the fact that COVID-19 symptoms can be mild, making it very easy to spread the virus to those around us. That is why our foundational rules for safe social interactions are so important.”
The number of people who have recovered from COVID-19 in B.C. remains around 87 per cent, or 2,718 people.
