By Canadian Press

Interior Health reports 20 more COVID-19 cases at Big White ski resort

Dec 22, 2020 | 3:27 PM

KELOWNA, B.C. — Another 20 cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed at Big White ski resort in Kelowna, B.C., in an outbreak the Interior Health authority says is mostly related to shared housing.

The authority says 96 cases have been linked to the cluster and the latest infections are related to transmission within group housing as well as social events and gatherings at the resort. 

It says 69 of those who tested positive live on the mountain, while 64 people who were sick have recovered, leaving 32 cases active.

Interior Health says new cases were expected since many people were already in self-isolation after sharing their household with confirmed cases.

The health authority says it’s safe to visit Big White as long as people stay with their immediate household group and follow public health rules, but it’s encouraging skiers and snowboarders in the province to stick to their local hills.

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The resort said on Friday that it has contacted all guests outside the central Okanagan region who held reservations up to Jan. 9 in order to cancel or reschedule their bookings.

Officials at the resort have said a number of staff were fired after the cluster was identified either for violating orders by the provincial health officer or the resort’s own rules aimed at fighting the spread of COVID-19.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 22, 2020.

The Canadian Press