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Big White Senior VP Michael J. Ballingall confirmed today, that COVID-19 cases have resulted after some on-mountain partying. Today, Interior Health had a testing clinic set up at the resort for a second day of testing to determine the extent of the spread.
Dozens of people lined-up for COVID-19 testing today after a party may have turned into a coronavirus spreading event.
Ballingall said staff are reminded not to socialize, and it's not allowed to happen at accommodation provided by the resort, but many staff live in private accommodations that are not managed by the resort.
"They're young people," he said. "Parties do happen. We know that they happen and we do our best to curtail them, but we ask for the assistance of the Regional District and the RCMP."
As of early Monday, two staff members and an unknown number of community members had tested positive while several more have been asked to self-isolate.
Still, Interior Health clarified today that they have not declared the situation an outbreak. In fact, a news release today re-affirms that the resort remains a safe place to visit.
But there are issues for those asked to isolate. Many people live in group housing arrangements where isolation isn't easy. Big White has been reaching out for help to relocate some of these people.
"Can that person find alternate accommodation on the mountain," asked Ballingall, "or can they come to town and find an isolation unit that they can afford to pay for for the next 14 days?"
Big White expects to know the results of today's testing by midweek and plans to sit down with health officials at that time to plan any next steps.
"We will have a plan and we will put that plan in place that is directed by them, Interior Health."
Ballingall believes a ski resort remains one of the safest places to go right now.
"We believe that everybody outside is much better than being inside. And I think we've proven that having been open for four weeks."
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