Interior Health has discovered a 60-case cluster of infections at Big White Ski Resort, the health authority announced December 15.
“Our investigation reveals 60 cases of COVID-19 related to Big White; mostly from transmission related to shared housing,” Interior Health said in a statement.
“All identified cases are required to self-isolate and public health continues to follow-up directly with their close contacts with guidance and support.”
The health agency is urging everyone at Big White to avoid social gatherings but said the risk of transmission is low for families and individuals who visit Big White and stick to their immediate household bubble, and avoid socializing and gathering with people outside their immediate bubble.
“Large households and social gatherings appear to be responsible for much of the COVID-19 transmission related to this cluster," it said. "This highlights the importance of limiting social activities and following COVID-19 protocols when indoors.”
Michael J. Ballingall, senior vice-president of Big White, told BIV in a statement that the resort is taking the matter seriously.
"We are meeting with the ownership group and will be acting quickly and decisively to address the living conditions of our staff residing outside of our managed residences," he said.
"We are not aware of any transmission in our company’s workplaces, this includes transmissions between employees at work and transmissions between employees and guests."
He said the company's main priority is to protect the health of employees and everyone else who visits and uses the resort.
"We are working alongside Interior Health on many fronts, and we are reminded these cases are the result of group housing and social gatherings," Ballingall said. "We are speaking with community members, the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary and RCMP to mitigate the risk and eliminate further spread."
Interior Health thanked the resort for ongoing support and collaboration, adding that it is "confident with the safety plan in place by Big White Ski Resort Ltd. Outdoor activities at Big White are considered safe for anyone following public health direction such as physical distancing, wearing a face covering, and staying home when sick."
