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UPDATE: Testing continues at two COVID-19 outbreaks in Okanagan

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry provides updates on Okanagan’s two outbreaks
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A view of the South Okanagan on a sunny day as you leave the Okanagan Correctional Centre. (Dustin Godfrey/Western News)

Testing is continuing as health officials monitor two separate outbreaks in the Okanagan, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says.

That includes at Okanagan Correctional Centre where one inmate tested positive for COVID-19 last week.

The Oliver, B.C. centre had its first confirmed case of COVID-19 on April 2, marking the first outbreak at a corrections facility in B.C.

The facility is one of two known community outbreaks in the Okanagan, the other being the 19 temporary migrant workers at West Kelowna’s Bylands Nurseries Ltd. who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

“I know that they’re still within the incubation period and people are being isolated,” Henry said.

Henry closed her daily COVID-19 update by extending thanks to the City of West Kelowna for supporting the workers and their families directly affected by the outbreak.

“I know the community rallied and brought them food … that’s what we do in B.C. to support people through this, and thank you very much for that.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: Based off erroneous information provided during a news conference, this article previously stated two inmates at Okanagan Correctional Centre had tested positive for the coronavirus. Health officials have since clarified there remains only one positive case at the facility.

READ MORE: B.C. records 35 new COVID-19 cases; five inmates at Mission jail in hospital

READ MORE: B.C. Mediation launches ‘quarantine conflicts’ service for people living together


Brendan Shykora
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Brendan Shykora

About the Author: Brendan Shykora

I started as a carrier at the age of 8. In 2019 graduated from the Master of Journalism program at Carleton University.
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