Nine new COVID-19 cases in Interior Health since yesterday

Interior Health has recorded nine positive COVID-19 tests in the region in the last 24 hours, including seven linked to Kelowna.

The brings the total cases connected to parties in the city in early July to 137. There have been 369 cases in the region since the pandemic started.

“The July long weekend was a reminder that COVID-19 is still in our communities and can spread quickly if we are not respecting public health guidance, especially around gatherings,” Interior Health Medical Health Oficer Dr. Silvina Mema said in a news release. “The increases in Kelowna started with a relatively small number of positive cases. The spread from these gatherings shows just how important it is to keep to Dr. Bonnie Henry’s recommendation of fewer faces, bigger spaces.”

About 60 per cent of the Kelowna victims are considered to have recovered at this point. The exact number is “fluid” as investigations continue, the news release states.

No one is hospitalized and no new cases have been reported at Kelowna General Hospital, where eight workers tested positive earlier this month.

“Here’s what to avoid this August long weekend: large gatherings, especially indoors, of people who don’t know each other,” Mema said. “We are urging everyone this long weekend to keep your gatherings small; to people you know; to those in your bubble.”

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