No new COVID-19 cases in Interior Health region despite an outbreak in Kootenays

There were 68 new COVID-19 cases recorded in B.C. over the last 24 hours.

None of those cases were in the Interior Health region even though seven people tested positive at a construction site for a water treatment plant near Elkford in the Kootenays, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said during her COVID-19 update today, Aug. 27.

That’s because six of the people that tested positive have returned home to Alberta and one person is now in another health region in B.C. Cases are recorded based on where the person lives.

“There is no risk to others in Interior Health at this time,” Dr. Henry said.

That brings the provincial total number of cases to 5,372 with 2,818 in the Fraser Health region, 1,737 in the Vancouver Coastal health region, 429 in the Interior Health region, 173 in the Vancouver Island health region, 137 in the Northern health region and 78 non-residents.

There was one more death, bringing the provincial total to 204.

There are 906 active cases with another 2,810 people being actively monitored by health workers. There are 22 people in hospital, seven of which are in intensive care. There have been 4,253 people who have recovered.

In addition, Dr. Henry said she is now reporting on “suspect” cases in children and adolescents.

Eight children have been identified as suspect cases. All were hospitalized and two were in intensive care but all have recovered. The average age was four.

The disease is similar to a rare multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children but may be associated with COVID-19 even though the children did not test positive for the virus or have COVID-19 antibodies. It usually comes on after a child has recovered from an infection. Symptoms can be varied and includes things like red eyes, severe fatigue and fever that lasts many days.

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