COVID-19 outbreak declared for Central Okanagan

Jul 28, 2021 | 1:08 PM

Interior Health (IH) has implemented a number of measures to try and curb a significant rise in COVID-19 cases in the Central Okanagan.

IH is reporting 113 new cases today after 95 on Tuesday, with about half of those estimated to be connected to the Kelowna and West Kelowna areas.

Dr. Sue Pollock, chief medical health officer for IH, said most of the cases are among 20 to 40 year olds who are not vaccinated or have just one dose.

Pollock has declared a COVID outbreak for the Central Okanagan local health area.

“For us, as residents of the Central Okanagan, it’s time to slow down and it’s time to step back to protect our community,” Pollock stated.

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Effective at midnight tonight, a mandatory mask mandate for all indoor public indoor spaces will take effect in the Central Okanagan (Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, Westbank First Nation lands and the electoral districts of the Regional District of Central Okanagan).

Enforcement of Step 3 measures will be increased on businesses and non-essential travel to and from the Central Okanagan will be discouraged unless people are fully vaccinated.

Bars, nightclubs and restaurants will be allowed to remain open with restrictions, such as no socializing between tables and no dancing at night spots.

Fairs, festivals and trade shows can continue but must have communicable disease plans in place, and must follow the mask mandate

Fitness and exercise facilities can stay open with increased cleaning and masks must be worn inside.

The measures will remain in place for at least 14 days and until the region experiences lower cases and higher vaccination rates.

IH will also reduce the interval between first and second vaccine doses for Central Okanagan residents to 28 days to encourage more people to get vaccinated.

Listen as Dr. Sue Pollock outlines the measures for the Central Okanagan.

Currently, 74.2 per cent of eligible IH residents have had one dose, and 60 per cent are fully vaccinated.

Pollock took part in a news conference with Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.

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New health measures to contain COVID-19 outbreak in Central Okanagan (Interior Health news release)

Interior Health (IH) has declared a COVID-19 outbreak in the central Okanagan due to significant increases in COVID-19 transmission, and is announcing measures to contain the outbreak.

· Effective tonight at midnight, Interior Health is placing a regional mandatory mask order for all public indoor spaces in the central Okanagan communities of Peachland, West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, Kelowna and Lake Country. The order applies to individuals older than 12 years of age.

· People from outside the central Okanagan are discouraged from non-essential travel to the area for the duration of the outbreak unless they are fully vaccinated (7 days after their second dose).

· There will be continued enforcement of the Province’s Step 3 Restart Plan. When businesses in the central Okanagan experience three or more COVID-19 cases, IH medical health officers will have the option to follow up and issue a closure order. We will be working with our municipal partners, WorkSafe BC and Interior Health environmental public health officers to support businesses in the central Okanagan maintain compliance with mandatory safety measures.

· As a reminder, Step 3 includes a return to normal for indoor and outdoor personal gatherings; however, in the central Okanagan people should be more cautious:

Organize events outdoors rather than indoors, if possible.

Maintain physical distancing, hand cleaning, and stay home if you are sick.

Continue to set a maximum capacity for indoor organized gatherings at 50 people or up to 50 per cent of a venue’s total capacity.

Events scheduled during this outbreak in the central Okanagan should have a COVID-19 safety plan in place.

· Implementing a low threshold for testing: Testing is available to anyone who is experiencing symptoms, and Interior Health will also conduct asymptomatic testing in areas with COVID-19 exposures.

· Increased access to COVID-19 vaccines: Additional pop-up and mobile clinics in downtown Kelowna and throughout the central Okanagan will make it easier than ever to get vaccinated so people can protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities. The interval between first and second doses will be decreased to 28 days for people who reside in the central Okanagan.

The measures will remain in place for at least 14 days and until the region experiences lower cases and higher vaccination rates.

More than 95 per cent of recent cases in the central Okanagan are among people who are not fully-immunized against COVID-19. This is an important reminder that immunization is our most effective prevention against COVID-19.

by Pete McIntyre

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