UPDATE: Potential COVID-19 exposure in Kelowna identified to 2 specific locations

(UPDATE: July 13 @ 5:30 am): Interior Health has released details of more locations in Kelowna that may have been exposed to COVID-19.

(UPDATE: July 11 @ 5:20 pm): Contact tracing and further investigation of current COVID-19 cases has allowed Interior Health (IH) to identify two specific locations in Kelowna where individuals may recently have been exposed to COVID-19.

IH is urging anyone who attended private gatherings at the following locations on the dates noted to self-isolate and monitor themselves closely for symptoms of COVID-19, and get tested if they have symptoms:

• Discovery Bay Resort (1088 Sunset Dr) from July 1 to 5
• Boyce Gyro Beach Lodge (3519 Lakeshore Rd) on July 1

As a reminder, on July 10, Interior Health notified the public of potential COVID-19 exposures in the Kelowna downtown and waterfront areas between June 25 and July 6. IH is urging anyone who visited these areas to self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and get tested if they develop.

Public health teams will continue contact tracing and where possible reach out directly to individuals who have been exposed.

IH committed to notifying the public of specific locations and venues of concerns as our investigation continues.

Individuals seeking a test should call their primary care provider (family physician or nurse practitioner) or the closest Interior Health community testing and assessment centre.

Testing is recommended for anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, including:

The symptoms of COVID-19 include the following:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Loss of sense of taste or smell
• Other milder symptoms may include: runny nose, fatigue, body aches (muscles and joints aching), diarrhea, headache, sore throat, vomiting and red eyes.

IH reminds everyone of the importance of following COVID-19 precautions:

• Stay home and avoid travel if you have symptoms, even mild ones
• Maintain physical distancing (two metres apart) and use masks when distancing is not possible
• Wash your hands regularly and do not touch your face
• Do not plan or attend gatherings of more than 50 people. Limit gatherings to out of doors whenever possible

Answers to frequently asked questions are available on the Interior Health public website here: news.interiorhealth.ca/news/frequently-asked-questions/

(Original story: July 10): Anyone who visited Kelowna’s downtown or waterfront areas between June 25 and July 6 is being asked to closely monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms.

According to Interior Health, eight known positive cases attended private gatherings or visited businesses over those dates, with Canada Day and the holiday weekend being of specific concern.

The health authority is now conducting contact tracing and will be reaching out directly to any potentially infected individuals with orders to self-quarantine for 14-days.

Of the eight cases that have been identified, six individuals reside outside of the Interior Health region.

"Interior Health continues to work with other jurisdictions to determine the source of disease for these cases," stated the health authority in a release.

"However, given the number of cases and potential locations involved, we are urging anyone who participated in events over these dates to monitor closely for symptoms of COVID-19."

Symptoms include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Loss of sense of taste or smell
• Other milder symptoms may include: runny nose, fatigue, body aches (muscles and joints aching), diarrhea, headache, sore throat, vomiting and red eyes

For more information, click here.