13 COVID cases from Kelowna parties, says doctor

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is reminding British Columbians to keep their social bubbles small following a spike in COVID-19 cases in Kelowna.

Henry says 13 people are so far known to have caught the virus while in Kelowna’s waterfront district between June 25 and July 9.

(Henry originally said 17 people during a news conference on Tuesday but an Interior Health official says that was incorrect and the number remains at 13.)

Henry says not all of the cases are in the Interior Health region, with some in the Vancouver and Fraser health districts.

Henry says Interior Health continues an investigation and contact tracing.

The government announced 13 new cases in B.C. Tuesday, including three in Interior Health, and no new deaths.

Sixty-two new cases were reported yesterday.

The hike in Kelowna has been attributed by the health minister to private parties held by people in their 20s and 30s.

Henry urges anyone who was there to monitor themselves for symptoms and to report them immediately.

“With every increase in our activity, the potential for COVID-19 transmission increases as well,” Henry said during a news conference. “The number of new cases of COVID-19 in recent days is evidence of this and we’ve had more than we’re used to seeing in the last few days.”

Henry said the increase in cases is not unexpected given the increase in activity as the province continues with Phase 3.

She said public health teams are working closely to actively manage every single case and find all close contacts who are at risk.

Henry also reassured people that cherries sold by an Oliver farm that has had a small outbreak are safe to eat.

“Food is not a source of transmission,” says Henry. “We are confident there is no risk from cherries that have been processed at Krazy Cherry Fruit (in Oliver.)”

Two workers at the farm have tested positive for the virus.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Adrian Dix has welcomed reports that the Canada-U.S. border will remain closed, possibly for another month.

“Everybody in British Columbia knows how inconvenient and how difficult that is for many businesses and many individuals…but they also know the absolutely necessity at this time of continuing to take those actions,” said Dix.