Less than one week after the end of 2020-21 ski season, Sun Peaks Resort is dealing with what is likely its most significant cluster of COVID-19 cases.

As of yesterday, there were 15 new cases in the resort municipality, north of Kamloops, with about 20 positive cases in the past 10 days or so.

“It is with even deeper regret to inform you that yesterday we did over 40 tests and now have 15 more positive COVID-19 cases. I suspect there are more,” Dr. Shane Barclay said, in an statement released this morning.

“The people affected are from all areas of employment and business within Sun Peaks.”

The final day of winter operations at Sun Peaks was April 5. A COVID-19 testing site, operated by Interior Health, shut down for the season yesterday.

“We are still in contact with Interior Health to obtain more testing capacity here for next week. If you have any symptoms, try to get tested, whether it be here or in Kamloops,” Barclay said.

“If we do get testing in Sun Peaks next week, we will send out a notification.”

In his statement, Barclay asked people to not travel out of Sun Peaks for the next week or two unless absolutely necessary.

While Sun Peaks has reported COVID-19 cases over the course of the ski season,  it has not been near the extent of places like Whistler or Big White.

At this time, it’s not clear if these cases involve any of the more contagious variants of concern. However, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said earlier this week that health officials will assume that all new COVID-19 cases are variants.

People who have been to Sun Peaks in the past 10 days are urged to self-monitor and call 811 if COVID-19 symptoms develop.

“This is obviously a very serious situation as the virus appears to be widespread,” Sun Peaks Mayor, Al Raine, told the Sun Peaks Independent News.

“Everyone needs to be cautious.”