FILE. Sun Peaks Resort.
Image Credit: Sun Peaks Resort via Facebook
April 10, 2021 - 3:08 PM
Sun Peaks residents are being asked by a local doctor to not to travel, following a rise in COVID-19 cases.
In an online bulletin, Dr. Shane B. Barclay of the Sun Peaks Health Centre said that the community conducted more than 40 tests and now there are 15 additional positive COVID-19 cases.
"I suspect there are more," Barclay said. "The people affected are from all areas of employment and business within Sun Peaks."
Barclay said the clinic is still in contact with Interior Health to obtain more testing capacity for next week and recommended if people had any symptoms, to try to get tested, whether it be there or in Kamloops.
"If we do get testing in Sun Peaks next week, we will send out a notification," he said. "I would advise everyone that unless absolutely necessary to not travel out of Sun Peaks for at least the next one to two weeks. Let's not spread this to everyone else."
Interior Health has yet to deem the new cases an outbreak.
“The increased COVID-19 activity in Sun Peaks in recent days is concerning and we are monitoring this situation. At this time an outbreak has not been declared. We are currently conducting a thorough case and contact investigation to determine where and when exposures occurred. Interior Health will contact anyone who is required to isolate," Medical Health Officer Dr. Carol Fenton about Sun Peaks in an emailed statement.
"In the meantime, this is another reminder about how important it is for everyone to be following public health orders and guidance including staying home when sick, wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing when out, sticking to small bubbles, and keeping up good hand hygiene as we see a high number of cases across B.C. right now."
Fenton also pointed to the Provincial Health Order that allows up to 10 people to gather outdoors as a means to stay safe.
"Do not gather with several groups of new people. Stick to the same people. Continue to use COVID-19 layers of protection and maintain physical distancing. Patios and outdoor areas at restaurants, pubs and bars are not included as places to gather with 10 people at one table," she said in the statement.
As COVID-19 cases in the province continue at near-record levels, Interior Health had the unfortunate distinction of setting a record high of its own on Friday with 132 cases.
The B.C. cases hit 1,262 in the last 24 hours, down slightly from yesterday’s record of 1,293. This comes despite the province having passed the one million mark in the number of vaccines administered.
“No matter what our age, or where we may be, our province is not yet protected from COVID-19,” provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix said in a statement.
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