Virus lingers ahead of year anniversary

Interior Health reported 44 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, and one additional death related to a carehome outbreak that had been declared over.

One person died at Heritage Retirement Residence in West Kelowna. There have been 84 deaths in the IH region since the novel coronavirus first appeared here almost exactly a year ago.

“On Valentine’s Day this weekend, the Interior will mark the oneyear anniversary of its first confirmed case of COVID-19,” said Susan Brown, IH president and CEO. “It was Feb. 14, 2020, that we saw COVID reach our region after seeing it spread around the world, country and province. After a year of responding to this challenging pandemic, sadly we continue to experience its impact.”

To that, Brown is encouraging everyone to remain vigilant about possible spread heading into a holiday weekend.

“For Valentine’s Day and Family Day this weekend, please do your part to slow the spread of COVID19 in our community,” she said. “Refrain from gathering, follow public health guidance and connect with loved ones, virtually. “

The province reported 445 cases on Friday, for a total of 4,347 active cases.

One new COVID-19 case has been confirmed at Big White Ski Resort since Feb. 5.

A COVID-19 cluster was declared at the ski hill on Dec. 15. A total of 236 people have caught the coronavirus. There are now 10 active cases. All the others have recovered.

“Most of the transmission related to this community cluster has occurred at social events and gatherings and everyone is reminded that socialization must be limited to immediate household bubbles,” said Interior Health in an update on Friday.

A total of 149 of the people who caught the coronavirus live or work on the mountain.