Dr. Bonnie Henry
Image Credit: FACEBOOK
April 12, 2020 - 8:54 AM
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is thanking West Kelowna locals who rallied around temporary foreign workers who are in isolation after an outbreak of COVID-19 at Bylands Garden Centre.
“I do want to say a great thank you to West Kelowna. I know there are people who are supporting the family and the temporary foreign workers working there who are in quarantine and isolation," she said during her regular live-streamed press conference Saturday, April 11.
"I know the community rallied and brought them food and I want to say that’s what we do in B.C., support people through this.”
The 14-day isolation of mostly Mexican temporary foreign workers working at the West Kelowna garden centre was ordered March 28 when 14 workers were confirmed to have COVID-19. A few days later that number had grown to 19 but no further cases have been reported.
“Many of you have reached out to offer help, food, or general support for our seasonal guest workers – thank you,” a post on the Bylands Facebook page states.
“Your generous offers have been communicated or provided to our workers, and this has helped with their morale and feeling of belonging in our community.”
READ MORE: Bylands Nursery workers suffering from COVID-19 getting better and getting lots of love
Henry also reminded people to stay home during this long weekend, amid reports that BC Ferries has seen an uptick in passengers in the last few days.
Three new Interior Heath COVID-19 cases have been reported, with 35 news cases in the province, as of Saturday, raising the total number of cases 1,445. Henry said 905 people have recovered. There have been three new deaths in the province.
“We have been providing messages for the need to stay home. This is not the time to go travelling,” she said. “I sincerely hope that most people have avoided any unnecessary travel.”
READ MORE: Provincial health officer tells people to stay home on long weekend
By staying home, it avoids unnecessary strain on small communities, she said.
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