This undated image from Wikimedia Commons shows the City of Revelstoke in winter and is taken from the Powder Springs Ski Hill.
Image Credit: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS / lan Silvester (mascdman)
November 26, 2020 - 11:44 AM
Interior Health has is reporting a community cluster in Revelstoke and the surrounding area after 22 new COVID-19 cases were reported over the past two weeks.
"Social gatherings appear to be responsible for some of these transmissions," Interior Health said in a release. "This highlights the importance, especially at this time, of limiting your social activities and following COVID-19 protocols when indoors. This includes maintaining physical distancing and masking when unable to stay apart.
An Interior Health investigation revealed that in the past 14 days, there have been 22 COVID-19 cases identified, with 12 cases reported on Tuesday, Nov. 24.
During a televised town hall meeting last night, Nov. 25, Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry confirmed the situation.
"We didn't associate COVID up until now with Revelstoke, but we’re seeing that and what that tells us is it’s everywhere, in every community and that’s why some of the orders that were regional orders a couple of weeks ago are now provincial," Dix said.
Since the start of the pandemic, Interior Health has reported 1,426 cases. In the last month the region has seen a spike in cases, as have other parts of B.C., as the province entered its second wave of the pandemic.
According to B.C. Centre for Disease Control data, the Revelstoke region had only seen three cases from January to October, 2020.
As of Nov. 2, Interior Health reported 777 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic. Yesterday’s numbers brought the total to 1,426. Since the start of the month, the Interior Health region has seen an increase of 649 new COVID-19 cases.
Revelstoke city councillor Cody Younker said Dix’s announcement brings awareness, but he would have liked to see better communication with the health authority about the numbers. He hasn't heard an announcement from the health authority regarding the uptick in cases as of Thursday morning, Nov. 26.
“One, it’s really good, in my opinion, for the community to know and two, why isn’t that actually publicized?” he said. “We know it’s here and then the big news was last week… when two restaurants announced (a COVID-19 case and exposure event.)”
Younker said hearing that there’s 22 cases in the town was a bit surprising, but it also brings awareness that there are cases in the community.
The B.C. Centre for Disease Control releases detailed data on where COVID-19 cases are in each health authority each month, but Younker said the concern is that the city could be waiting until mid-December before the numbers are updated.
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