A COVID-19 community cluster at Big White Mountain continues to grow.

Interior Health is reporting another 25 cases, taking the total to 136 – 88 of which are people who live on Big White Mountain. As it stands, there are 27 active cases, with the other 106 considered to have recovered.

“Everyone in the Big White community is reminded to avoid social gatherings and that socialization must be limited to immediate household bubbles,” a statement from Interior Health said. “Please follow public health guidance such as physical distancing, washing your hands regularly and wearing a mask.”

The health authority says the risk continues to be low for people who visit the ski resort as long as they follow public health guidelines and stick to their immediate household bubble and avoid socializing and gathering.

COVID-19 testing and environmental public health inspections are continuing, with the next update coming this Friday, Jan. 8.

“We remain grateful to community leaders for their support, and remind everyone not to stigmatize or judge others who seek testing or test positive for COVID-19,” added the statement.

The cluster was first identified on Dec. 15, with 60 reported cases linked to transmission related to shared housing and social gatherings.

Interior Health is also warning of increasing COVID-19 activity in the Revelstoke area with 29 new cases identified in the last two weeks, taking the cumulative total in the area to ‘above 85 cases’ since the start of the pandemic.

(Photo via Big White Ski Resort)