Information bulletin
COVID-19 update for Whistler
B.C.'s Provincial Health Officer rescinds orders for COVID-19
This news release contains information that is more than six months old and may be out of date. On July 26, 2024, B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer issued an order to end the public health emergency for COVID-19 and rescinded all related orders.
Vancouver, BC- Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) encourages all Whistler residents and potential visitors to maintain their efforts to prevent community transmission of COVID-19 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 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 who tested positive for COVID-19 has been during their infectious period and if there was any risk of public exposure.
Depending on the type of interactions an individual has had and the measures and safety plans in place at the time, VCH is often able to identify and notify all close contacts directly and determine there is no further risk to the public.
VCH Public Health issues public exposure alerts when it has determined there was a risk of public exposure and it has not been able to contact everyone who may have been exposed.
VCH remains grateful to Whistler community leaders for their support. VCH is committed to continuing to provide care and guidance to those who have tested positive for COVID-19.
If you have symptoms associated with COVID-19, visit the BC COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool for guidance on whether you require a test for COVID-19. COVID-19 test collection sites are also listed on the VCH website.
CONTACT
Rachel Galligan
Communications Leader, Public Health
Vancouver Coastal Health
Cell: 236-833-5618
Email: rachel.galligan@vch.ca
