As COVID-19 cases continue to climb, Interior Health again calls for people to get vaccinated

Interior Health is once again urging the public to get their COVID-19 vaccines, as the Central Okanagan outbreak continues to see case counts climb.

Since July 1, 2021, there have been 1,690 new COVID-19 cases recorded in the Central Okanagan, which prompted Interior Health to declare the area as an ‘outbreak’ on July 28.

“COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to increase in the Central Okanagan,” said Interior Health president and CEO, Susan Brown.

“Over 95 percent of COVID-19 cases related to this outbreak are among people not fully immunized and the majority are 40 years or younger.”

Interior Health is once again calling on the public, particularly individuals working in health care or the service sector, to get their jabs. The health authority also adds it’s important to get both doses, because having both shots increases the protection against variants of the virus.

The interval between getting the first and second dose of COVID-19 vaccines has been decreased in the province to 28 days, which will allow people to get fully protected more quickly.

Meantime, a number of COVID-19 restrictions remain in place for the Central Okanagan region, which includes the District of Peachland, City of West Kelowna, City of Kelowna, District of Lake Country and the Regional District of Central Okanagan.

These restrictions include:

• Indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants allowed for groups up to six people
• Liquor service at restaurants ends at 10 p.m.
• Nightclubs and bars are ordered to close (unless the establishment offers a full meal service)
• Indoor low-intensity group exercise is permitted with reduced capacity
• Indoor high-intensity group exercise is not permitted
• Gathering in vacation rentals (including houseboats) are limited to five guests plus occupants
• Outdoor personal gathering limited to 50 people
• Indoor personal gatherings limited to five guests or one other household
• Indoor and outdoor organized gatherings limited to no more than 50 people with a COVID-19 safety plan in place
• Masks mandatory for all people age 12 and over in indoor public areas

The health authority notes that while most cases are in people aged 40 or younger, there has also been increased transmission in health care facilities, restaurants and social settings. It adds the restrictions will better protect the health care providers and service industry staff in those settings, as well as the broader community as a whole.