The province confirmed 41 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday and warned of an exposure event at a nightclub in Kelowna. (BC Government Flickr)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

DAILY BRIEFING

Province tracking COVID-19 exposure event at Kelowna nightclub, no new Island cases

Jul 29, 2020 | 4:17 PM

NANAIMO — Vancouver Island’s COVID-19 situation remained unchanged as the province confirmed 41 new cases of coronavirus across B.C.

The Island Health region remains at 143 according to a joint statement by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and health minister Adrian Dix.

Six cases are currently considered active on the Island, with 253 elsewhere in B.C. Six people are in hospital across the province, two of which are in intensive care.

Of concern for health officials is a new community exposure event in the Interior. The statement said COVID-19 exposure was possible at the Liquid Zoo nightclub in Kelowna between July 15 and 18.

Anyone who was at the club during that time is encouraged to isolate, monitor symptoms and contact 811 to arrange COVID-19 testing.

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Exposure events are where a person had been who later tested positive for COVID-19 prior to showing symptoms. They are a possible pre-cursor to outbreaks.

“Staying a safe distance from others is the best way to slow the spread of the virus. If you are in a crowded area, outside or inside, and you can’t maintain a safe physical distance, wearing a mask is a further protective layer,” the joint statement said.

Officials continue monitoring active outbreaks on Haida Gwaii, with 20 confirmed cases, as well as a packing plant in the Fraser Valley where 31 cases have been linked.

The plant, Fraser Valley Packers Inc., processes and distributes blueberries from area farms. The province said there are no concerns of transmitting COVID-19 through fruit, however it’s always good practice to wash produce before eating.

No new deaths were announced Wednesday, leaving the number of people who have lost their lives to COVID-19 at 194.

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