A 'Community Cluster' Of 60 COVID-19 Cases Has Been Linked To Big White Ski Resort

Shared housing is to blame.
Contributor

Interior Health has announced a "community cluster" amounting to 60 COVID-19 cases at Big White ski resort in Kelowna, B.C.

The news release explains that most of the transmission was due to shared housing. 

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Large households and social gatherings appear to be responsible for much of the COVID-19 transmission related to this cluster. Interior Health

Apparently "the risk is low" for skiers and snowboarders merely visiting the resort as long as they stick to their immediate household bubble and avoid socializing with anyone outside that. 

"Outdoor activities at Big White are considered safe for anyone following public health direction such as physical distancing, wearing a face covering, and staying home when sick," says the release. 

The cluster is being monitored for new cases. Meanwhile, Interior Health is reminding Canadians to stick to their own communities and visit only their local ski hills. 

They say you should stick to your own household bubble, stay home when you're sick, physically distance and wear a mask, and wash your hands often. 

At present, testing is only recommended for individuals who are showing symptoms. 

"We thank the community leadership at Big White for their ongoing support and collaboration, and we are confident with the safety plan in place by Big White Ski Resort Ltd." Interior Health writes. 

  • Britanny Burr was a Staff Writer at Narcity Canada, who drove growth within Narcity's Western coverage and readership. Having lived between her hometown, Canmore, Alberta and Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, and NYC over the past 10 years, she is obsessed with finding the best local hot spots. She holds a B.A. in English and has over six years of professional writing experience as Head Writer and Editor for YUL.Buzz in Montreal, and Creative Copywriter at JAKT in NYC. News by day, poetry by night — the written word is Britanny's nearest and dearest.

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