Interior Health identifies additional seven cases of COVID-19 in Fernie
By Lone Sheep Publishing
On Tuesday during a media update, Interior Health identified an additional seven cases of COVID-19 linked to a community cluster in the Fernie area since the cluster was declared on Jan. 27.
“Since Jan. 1, 2021, a total of 98 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in this region and 24 cases are currently active and on isolation,” Interior Health said.
“Most of the transmission occurred at recent social events and gatherings,” Interior Health added.
Interior Health reminds everyone that socialization must be limited to immediate household bubbles and do not invite friends or extended family to your residence for a visit or gathering.
“Interior Health is grateful to local physicians and staff, elected officials, businesses and community leaders for their support as we remind everyone to follow precautions and not stigmatize or judge others who seek testing or test positive for COVID-19,” Interior Health said.
Everyone in all communities should remain vigilant in following COVID-19 precautions:
- Keep to your household bubbles and avoid social gatherings.
- Avoid all non-essential travel; stick to your local ski hill and local activities.
- Stay home when you are sick and get tested if you have any symptoms consistent with COVID-19.
- Practise physical distancing and use a mask if you cannot.
- Wash your hands often.
Also Tuesday, Interior Health updated numbers to the community cluster in Big White Ski Hill south of Kelowna to an additional five COVID-19 cases reported linked to the outbreak.
As well there are 37 additional cases linked to the cluster in the Williams Lake area.
During the daily media briefing, Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer said the province reported 429 new cases, including 10 epi-linked cases, for a total of 68,366 cases in British Columbia.
“There are 4,542 active cases of COVID-19 in the province,” Dr. Henry said.
“There are 294 individuals currently hospitalized with COVID-19, 82 of whom are in intensive care. The remaining people with COVID-19 are recovering at home in self-isolation.
Dr. Henry saidcurrently, 7,080 people are under active public health monitoring as a result of identified exposure to known cases, and a further 61,129 people who tested positive have recovered.
“Since we last reported, we have had 112 new cases of COVID-19 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region, 202 new cases in the Fraser Health region, 27 in the Island Health region, 51 in the Interior Health region, 35 in the Northern Health region and two new cases of people who reside outside of Canada,” Dr. Henry said.
“To date, 140,452 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in B.C., 5,097 of which are second doses. Immunization data is available on the COVID-19 dashboard: www.bccdc.ca
- Update on Interior Health outbreaks:
- Westsyde Care Residence group home in Kamloops has 18 cases: 11 residents and seven staff. All 18 cases are currently active.
- Royal Inland Hospital has 86 cases: 30 patients and 56 staff, with one death connected to this outbreak. There are 59 active cases.
- Cariboo Memorial Hospital has 14 cases: 12 staff and two patients. There is one active case.
- Brocklehurst Gemstone long-term care in Kamloops has 25 cases: 17 residents and eight staff, with two deaths connected to this outbreak. There are three active cases.
- Sunnybank long-term care in Oliver has 37 cases: 27 residents, 10 staff, with five deaths connected to this outbreak. There are 11 active cases.
- Creekside Landing long-term care in Vernon has 40 cases: 25 residents and 15 staff, with one death connected to this outbreak. There are eight active cases.
- Noric House long-term care in Vernon has 67 cases: 38 residents and 29 staff, with nine deaths connected to this outbreak. There are 16 active cases.
- Heritage Square long-term care in Vernon has 68 cases: 47 residents and 21 staff, with nine deaths connected to this outbreak. There are nine active cases.
