Nine more COVID-19 cases in IH region

Interior Health (IH) is reporting another nine COVID-19 cases in the region.

Seven of those new cases are linked to Kelowna outbreaks taking the total to 137 since June 26, according to an IH statement released Friday afternoon.

There have been 369 cases in the region since the start of the pandemic.

Interior Health says about 60 per cent of the Kelowna-linked cases are considered recovered.

There are no new cases among healthcare workers at Kelowna General Hospital and no one is currently in hospital with the virus.

With a holiday weekend about to get underway, Interior Health medical health officer Dr. Silvina Mema is urging the public to act with caution.

“July long weekend was a reminder that COVID-19 is still in our communities and can spread quickly if we are not respecting public health guidance, especially around gatherings,” Mema said in a statement.

“The increases in Kelowna started with a relatively small number of positive cases,” she said. “The spread from these gatherings shows just how important it is to keep to Dr. Bonnie Henry’s recommendation of fewer faces, bigger spaces.”

Mema urged members of the public to avoid large gatherings this weekend, especially indoors.

“We are urging everyone this long weekend to keep your gatherings small, to people you know, to those in your bubble,” she said. “Dr. Henry has asked all of us to support each other, encourage our family and friends to #SocializeSafely and to be her voice on social media.”

People are also asked to get a COVID-19 test if they show any symptoms, even if they are mild.