Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is urging locals and visitors to take all precautions as there is an increase in the number of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19.
From Jan. 1 to Jan. 26, VCH recorded 288 COVID-19 cases in Whistler.
The majority of these cases involve young people in their 20s and 30s who live, work and socialize together.
None of the cases have resulted in hospitalization or death.
Whistler experienced a similar increase in cases in November 2020, which resolved in early December.
Over the past week, VCH has also issued six public exposure notifications for businesses in Whistler.
Based on available information, these public exposures are believed to be low risk and VCH asks that anyone who has been to any of these locations, on the specified dates and times, to self-monitor for symptoms.
VCH urges Whistler residents and potential visitors to continue to follow Public Health guidance, including:
- Keep to your household bubbles and avoid social gatherings.
- Avoid all non-essential travel; visit your local mountains for winter and recreational activities.
- Stay home if you have any symptoms and get tested if your symptoms are consistent with COVID-19.
- Practise physical distancing and wear a mask, if possible, if you cannot.
- Wash your hands often.
During contact tracing, the VCH Public Health team does a thorough assessment of where each person those who tested positive had been during their infectious period and if there was any risk of public exposure.
VCH said it is often able to identify and notify all close contacts directly and determine there is no further risk to the public.
