There are 29 new cases of COVID-19 today in B.C., including four in the Interior Health region, bringing the total to 3,591 and 360 cases respectively.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says 28 of the 29 cases are linked to a Fraser Valley Packers, a blueberry packing plant in Abbotsford, where there are 59 total cases, up from 31 yesterday.

Henry says most of the cases in B.C. this month can be traced to people partying in downtown Kelowna around Canada Day. But she says the province spoke up, and she thanked people for listening.

“We probably all know somebody who has bent the rules to make it work for them, and that’s not a surprise. I think until it hits home, we think we are immune to many of the effects of things, like this virus. If you see them again, help them get back on track. Help them join the rest of us.”

Interior Health says there are now 130 cases linked to Kelowna – all Interior Health residents – since June 26, though it notes not all are linked to businesses or gatherings in the downtown as was previously reported.

“Currently we are seeing more broad community transmission so we are expanding our reporting to focus on any cases that are linked to Kelowna during their exposure or infectious period,” a statement from IHA noted, adding they will also not be reporting cases who reside outside the health authority. “This has caused the number of cases to increase but this is due to previously reported cases being re-classified and not new cases reported in Kelowna.”

“This new reporting will more accurately reflect what is happening in the city and region.”

There were no new deaths from the virus today, and the number of active cases is now down to 242, down from to 259 yesterday. There are now five people in hospital with the virus – compared to six yesterday – and two people in intensive care.