BCHL’s Penticton Vees stop COVID-19 spread by following public health protocols

The Penticton Vees have limited the spread of COVID-19 after a player tested positive last week.

The BCHL franchise issued a media release today, Dec. 4, to say recent testing of all close contacts including players and staff only turned up the original infection, with all the other tests coming back negative. All close contacts will remain in quarantine until early next week in despite the negative test results.

"I am very pleased with the professional approach our players, and of course our medical staff, took to ensure the situation would stay isolated,” Vees general manager and head coach Fred Harbinson said in the release. "I also want to take the time to thank our billets for all their support during these difficult times."

The Vees player who tested positive is only the second BCHL player to have contracted COVID-19 this season. Both situations were limited to one isolated case on either team.

BCHL commissioner Chris Hebb said the league’s plan is to do everything possible to avoid a positive test, but given the current numbers of COVID-19 in the province it’s all but inevitable.

“The two cases we’ve had have both been limited to one isolated positive test and that is because our teams have followed the protocols in place and they have proven to be effective,” Hebb said in the release.

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