FILE: Undated photo of Sun Peaks pre 2020.

(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

The Sun Peaks Community Health Centre announced in a letter sent Dec. 26 that COVID-19 cases are "now circulating in the community."

"Unfortunately, I have to report that we have COVID-19 cases now in Sun Peaks over the Christmas break," Medical Director Dr. Shane Barclay said in the email.

"The cases were all notified the morning after their tests by our health centre staff, all had been self quarantining and contact tracing was complete by noon the same day."

The results provide more evidence that people should be cautious.

“If you must go out, be very careful, and yes keep socially distanced from other people, wear a mask and wash your hands often,” he wrote.

Some of the cases appear to at Sun Peaks Grand.

"In the past two days, due to the proactive work of our hotel team alongside community resources, we have been informed about four cases of COVID-19 within staff members at the Sun Peaks Grand. All cases are related to social interactions outside the workplace and no guests have been impacted at this time. The four cases and associated close contacts are currently in self isolation," reads a statement from the hotel.

"The health and safety of our staff, guests, and community is the top priority now and always. While we are in communication with health authorities on all protocols, we have diligently prepared for this type of scenario over the past nine months and have robust policies and procedures in place to effectively manage the situation. Outdoor recreation at Sun Peaks continues to be considered safe for anyone following public health direction such as physical distancing, wearing a face covering, and staying home when unwell."

Data from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control shows the Kamloops area, which stretches past Barriere, Sun Peaks, Chase and Logan Lake, had 35 cases during the week of Dec. 13-19. While the CDC only shows data for that one week, previous maps showed 21 cases the week before.

Salmon Arm’s cases also went up from 11 to 14 during the same time period.

Most areas saw case numbers increase for the Dec. 6 to 12 period then drop last week.

That includes Vernon that went from 21 cases at the start of the month to 36 then back down to 28.

The Central Okanagan, which is not broken down by city, had 314 cases in the first week of December, climbed to 349 then dropped to 262 last week.

Penticton broke that pattern by dropping steadily from 50 cases during the first week of December down to 28 last week.

Testing will be made available at Sun Peaks Monday, Wednesday and Friday and should be booked online at InteriorHealth.ca.

A letter from Dr. Shane Barclay posted online.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED

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