By Dale Boyd and Lyonel Doherty
Times-Chronicle Staff
The province is now following over 70 cases related to a COVID-19 cluster in and around Kelowna which has been driving up active cases in B.C. over the last few weeks.
The province announced 34 new cases of COVID-19 on July 22, with no new community outbreaks.
There are a total of 285 active cases in B.C. as of July 22.
“As a direct result of the recent community exposures in Kelowna there are now close to 1,000 British Columbians in every health authority who are self-isolating at home because they have been exposed to somebody who has been positive for this virus,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer during today’s briefing.
“This means these people are unable to work, to see their friends, to enjoy their summer like the rest of us.”
The cases in Kelowna were attributed to private hotel parties between June 25 and July 9, and a staff member tested positive at Kelowna General Hospital as well — with Interior Health stating it is still safe to visit the hospital last week.
The number of cases of COVID-19 at an Oliver cherry farm remains at four. The cases are related to the Kelowna cluster, according to the health authority.
COVID-19 in B.C. “is trending in a direction we do not want to go and that is upwards. We all need to take a step back and look at the things we need to do to bend our curve back down where we need to keep it,” Henry said.
Henry said she is in discussions with Interior Health regarding restrictions to gatherings in the Okanagan. She again promoted the now-common recommendations of washing hands and keeping distance from one another, reiterating that large groups are problematic even when outside.
If going to the beach, choose a quieter spot and keep away from crowds, and keep social bubbles together (by sticking to your own group and not mixing with others), Henry said.
The province made amendments to provincial health orders for events, bars and nightclubs Wednesday as well. All patrons must be seated at a designated seat, no liquor self service or dance floors and measures need to be in place to reduce lineups, gatherings and “pressure points.”
Henry advised that people wear masks when social distancing is difficult, and urged individuals to stay at their own tables when they go out for dinner. She also advised giving restaurant staff your name and contact number just in case.
“We need to do our part by not bending the rules (and jeopardizing what the province has accomplished).”
During question period, Henry said parties of fewer than 50 people are even risky when these gatherings involve different groups mingling every night (which was reportedly the case in Kelowna). She was then asked to comment on photographs showing heavy crowds of people attending “drum circles” on beaches, and whether organizers should be held accountable.
Henry said the province has always taken the educational approach as opposed to heavy enforcement measures.
The health officer noted the increase in COVID-19 in younger people, many of whom don’t seem to have severe symptoms and tend to recover more quickly. “But it can really knock you flat on your back for a long time.”
Some people in their 20s, 30s and 40s have died from the virus, Henry pointed out.
When asked if children will be mandated to wear masks in school this fall, she said no, adding there are more effective ways to combat the virus, such as physical distancing. She stated that wearing a mask for a long period of time is not very effective against the virus.
