There are a total of 46 cases now associated with a COVID-19 community cluster in Revelstoke and the surrounding area IH announced on December 1.
Of the 46 total cases, 32 are currently active, said Interior Health (IH). The numbers include new cases up until Sunday, Nov. 29.
“Many of the new cases are associated with previously confirmed cases,” IH said in a statement. “As contact tracing continues, Interior Health’s priority is to ensure that anyone exposed is self-isolating and all close contacts are identified and receive follow-up from public health.”
An exposure event related to this cluster has been identified at Ecole des Glacier Elementary on Nov. 23. The event is listed on Interior Health’s school exposures page under School District No. 93. IH posts school exposures on that website.
Interior Health said public health is following up with any close contacts. All schools have safety plans in place and students who have not been contacted directly by public health can continue to go to school.
As of October 31, there were no resident COVID-19 cases in Revelstoke. In B.C., health authorities do not provide daily COVID-19 case numbers for small communities. In Revelstoke’s case they update monthly case numbers between a week to two weeks after the month has ended. On Nov. 25, B.C. health minister Adrian Dix said there were 22 cases in Revelstoke on a TV town hall. The next day, Nov. 26, IH sent out a statement confirming the number. On Nov. 27, IH added seven cases, bringing the total to 29.
In response to questions from the Mountaineer, IH says they will now update the Revelstoke cluster twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
IH said it continues to highlight the importance, especially at this time, of limiting your social activities and following COVID-19 protocols: “Socialization must be limited to your household bubble and you should not be attending gatherings at this time. People should be physical distancing and masking when unable to stay apart during essential activities.
“Interior Health would also remind people that we need them to limit all non-essential travel right now. This means, sticking to your own communities, skiing at your own ski hill and not getting together in groups after skiing, only going to restaurants with your family bubble, etc.,” they stated.
Carpooling is also not recommended at this time. “We thank the community for continuing to be kind to each other and to do their part to enable everyone to stay healthy,” IH said.
IH continues to monitor this cluster for additional cases. Environmental public health has been in the community to review safety plans at a number of locations and provide guidance and support as required.
The Mountaineer has requested dates all cases were first detected in Revelstoke in November, and also requested data on test positivity rates, contract tracing efforts, and communication plans during the Revelstoke cluster event.
Update: IH advice on school exposures
We followed up with IH on advice for parents and caregivers on the school exposure incident. IH provided the following statement:
Cases in schools reflect cases we are seeing in the community, which is why it is so important for everyone to continue to take all precautions for themselves and their children.
When a case is identified, we are working closely with schools to minimize any further spread through contact tracing and appropriate isolation and monitoring.
Individuals/families who may have been exposed are contacted directly by public health and provided guidance and direction. Students who are not contacted by IH can continue to attend school. All schools have safety plans and protocols in place to reduce the risk of exposure to students and staff.
We continue to urge parents to avoid situations where exposures are possible. This includes not holding parties with children outside your household and avoid sleepovers with classmates. We know that gatherings are important for our youth, but it’s important to find a different, safe way to celebrate events this year that does not bring numbers of children together either in your home or at another location. While adults are responding to our request to avoid parties, we also need you to know this also includes children festivities as well. This is another way to ensure our schools stay open and our children get the in-class education that is so important.
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