Interior Health is reporting three more COVID-19 cases connected to a cluster in Revelstoke, which has now grown to 49 cases.

There are 23 active cases – none in hospital – while 26 others are considered to have recovered. In a statement, Interior Health says the three additional cases were all confirmed since Monday, and contact tracing has been completed for all those cases.

“The smaller number of new cases this week is encouraging – a drop off like this is what we want to see after we have completed our initial investigation and have connected with those we have identified as close contacts to original cases,” IHA Medical Health Officer, Dr. Karin Goodison said.

“However, we do anticipate new cases for a week or two after a cluster is declared, so nobody should be letting down their guard in Revelstoke right now.”

Goodison says Interior Health continues to see a significant number of new cases every day – there were 81 reported today – which she says impacting rural communities as well as our larger centres.

“IH environmental health officers are in Revelstoke providing additional guidance and direction to local businesses given the new orders that are in place,” she added, noting health authorities are grateful for the help they got from the Revelstoke community to reduce the risk of more exposures.

“We are cautiously optimistic about our progress and we urge everyone to continue to follow all public health guidance and orders. Working together, we can contain this cluster and prevent further cases of COVID-19 in the Revelstoke region.”

Earlier this week, Revelstoke city councillor Cody Younker told NL News the community is feeling impact of the cluster as businesses and residents try to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Salmo Community Cluster Contained

Interior Health also says the COVID-19 community cluster in the Salmo area has been contained.

It says there were 25 cases connected to the cluster in the Salmo region, extending south from Nelson – with the majority of cases linked to several social events in Salmo at the end of October and in early November.

“I’d like to thank local elected officials, family physicians, public health, clinic staff, businesses and residents for working hard to limit the spread of COVID-19 once this cluster was identified,” IHA President and CEO Susan Brown said.

“Containing this cluster shows when everyone pulls together and follows public health guidance we can limit the spread of COVID-19.”

Interior Health says all of the cases linked to this cluster have recovered with no exposures in Salmo area schools. Health officials say while the cluster has been contained, people should remain vigilant in following COVID-19 precautions and public health orders.

“Containing this cluster demonstrates the effectiveness of our investigations and contact tracing whether it relates to a single case or a cluster of cases. Our medical health officers, epidemiology team, communicable disease unit, and public health staff remain dedicated to reducing COVID-19 exposures in all our communities,” added Dr. Goodison.

“Everyone has a role to play in a community’s overall health, especially when it comes to COVID-19.”