Interior Health urging campers at large event in Kootenays to self-monitor for COVID-19

Interior Health is urging anyone who went to a large camping event in the Kootenays this past weekend to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms.

The event, which involved roughly 150 people, took place at the Bombi Summit between Castlegar and Salmo, Sept. 12 and 13, according an Interior Health press release.

"In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic when we learn that people have participated in large gatherings, (Interior Health) urges participants to self-monitor for COVID symptoms and get testing should they develop," the release reads.

There are no confirmed cases from the event, however there are cases in the Interior Health region and the possibility of exposure increases with large events, Interior Health said.

In general, Interior Health asks that residents keep their social circle small, and to take the following precautions:

• Do not plan or attend gatherings of more than 50 people.
• Stay home and avoid travel if you have symptoms, even mild ones.
• Maintain physical distancing (two metres apart) and use masks when distancing is not
• possible.
• Wash your hands regularly and do not touch your face.

Testing is recommended for anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell. Milder symptoms may include a runny nose, fatigue, body aches (muscles and joints aching), diarrhea, headache, sore throat, vomiting and red eyes.

Information about testing and public exposures to COVID-19 throughout the Interior Health region is available online here.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.