Covid ‘flare-ups’ are a concern to Dr. Henry, 12 new cases in IH

Jul 17, 2020 | 3:50 PM

Dr. Bonnie Henry is concerned about what she calls a number of flare-up outbreaks of Covid-19 in B.C.

There have been 28 new cases in the province since Thursday with 12 of those in Interior Health, with no new deaths.

The number of cases connected to a series of private parties in Kelowna earlier this month is now up to 35.

“This is one of the more concerning issues for us because we recognize there have been a number of events that have happened there and we need people to start thinking how we can socialize safely over the coming weeks,” said Dr. Henry, provincial health officer. “We anticipate there will be more cases in coming days as people who were exposed start to develop symptoms.”

Henry said a plan has been developed to minimize community exposure after a meeting Friday with Interior Health, Kelowna mayor Colin Basran, MLA Norm Letnick and Health Minister Adrian Dix.

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“We have a number of things we are going to do to work with the communities in the Central Okanagan to make sure we can help people safely enjoy the rest of the summer,” said Henry.

Dr. Henry says many of the new cases are people in their 20’s and 30s which she says is an important reminder for everyone that we have to do more to “keep things in balance.”

“We can socialize and we need to socialize safely, or I say, we need to play safe and stay safe. Always know who your with if you’re out, take steps to protect each other so you can spread kindness and joy and not the virus.”

There has also been new outbreaks at a neo-natal unit at St Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver and at the site C dam project in Fort St John.

“Contact tracing is ongoing to understand how the virus was introduced to people in the [hospital unit]. There area number of families and staff who are now isolated.”

The province’s top doctor was not planning to speak on Friday but felt she should, given all the recent events.

She’s asking younger people on social media to use their influence to share a message with friends to “make sure we don’t let Covid steal our summer.”

Case numbers:

28 new cases/ for total of 3,198

1,032 Vancouver Coastal Health Region

1,676 Fraser Health

136 Vancouver Island

235 in Interior Health

68 Northern Health

51 outside Canada

There are 207 active cases, 18 in hospital, with 2 in ICU or critical care

No new deaths (189)

2,802 fully recovered

There are 4 cases connected to Krazy Cherry Farm in Oliver.

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Dr. Henry said the Site C work site case was an Alberta resident.

“The person who was identified had their exposure test in Alberta. They are in isolation and public health teams are working closely monitoring the situation. A very small number of contacts have been identified and been isolated. It’s important to recognize this person had very limited contacts after their recent return to the camp and immediately identified they had a positive test. They’ve had no contact with any communities in that area.”

An alert issued for potential community exposures at Sandman Inn Suites on Davie Street between July 7-16.

As a precaution, anyone who may have been exposed, should monitor themselves for symptoms, limit your contact with others over the incubation period and contact 811 if any symptoms develop.

by Pete McIntyre

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