Interior Health will conduct COVID-19 testing today for Sun Peaks residents after a wave of new cases hit the village last week.
The total number of individuals with confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses in Sun Peaks rose to 23 on Sunday, April 11.
The first announcement of positive cases came on Friday, April 9, when Dr. Shane Barclay from the Sun Peaks Community Health Centre announced six confirmed cases.
Although that number has nearly tripled, the Interior Health Authority said they are not calling the situation an outbreak.
“At this time an outbreak has not been declared, but we are monitoring the situation closely,” said a spokesperson from Interior Health Authority (IHA). “We are currently conducting a thorough case and contact investigation to determine where and when exposures occurred.”
Today, Sun Peaks Resort LLP released statement regarding positive cases in the resort owned outlets.
“While the cases have come from a variety of areas, we can confirm a number of positive results involve guest facing functions of resort businesses,” said the statement. “Health officials have been collaborating with necessary parties for contact tracing purposes and the majority of that process is complete at this point.
“Out of an abundance of caution, all Sun Peaks Resort operated guest facing business functions are currently closed. This includes our food and beverage outlets, rental and retail stores, guest services office, as well as our daycare facility. Staff members are available to assist via phone and email as required.”
The IHA spokesperson said testing for COVID-19 will take place in Sun Peaks again today, although they did not specify the hours or if all of the slots have been booked.
It was announced on Friday that there would be no more testing done at the Sun Peaks clinic by the end of the day. It is not yet clear if IHA plans to continue testing beyond today.
Testing will be available in Kamloops for anyone who is showing symptoms. Residents getting tested in Kamloops should include S. Barclay on their requisition form so that the Sun Peaks clinic will receive a copy of the results.
According to statements over the weekend from the Sun Peaks Community Health Centre and Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality, many businesses in the village have been affected.
The Sun Peaks Resort’s Sundance Kids Centre daycare is currently closed due to a positive COVID-19 case detected on April 8. Children who attended the facility on April 5 or 6 must isolate, and other family members should watch for symptoms.
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