Okanagan Indian Band says recent COVID-19 cases related to Christmas gathering
The Okanagan Indian Band has announced there are several cases of COVID-19 within its community all linked to a Christmas get-together.
The band also says it expects to see another spike of COVID-19 cases in the next few days stemming from New Year's celebrations.
The band made the announcement in a member bulletin released yesterday, Jan. 7.
The bulletin does not say how many cases of COVID-19 there are in the community but states that the number of cases "continues to grow." It reminds band members to practice COVID-19 protocols by washing hands regularly, wearing a mask, practising social distancing, and avoiding all gatherings.
"We can flatten the COVID-19 curve and make a meaningful impact on our community by following the protocols," OKIB Chief Byron Louis said in the bulletin. "We did it in the spring and summer and we can do it again if we act now. Listen to the health experts and be a leader by helping to protect your community."
The B.C. Centre for Disease Control released its weekly case totals reporting 76 COVID-19 cases in the Vernon area.
In the Okanagan Indian Band's bulletin, the chief and council remind members that testing positive for COVID-19 is a health issue and "not necessarily an indication of poor judgement."
"Those who follow the protocols are at a reduced risk to catch COVID-19 but they are not immune," reads the bulletin. "It would be wrong to blame someone for catching a cold and it is no different for COVID-19."
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