Whistler seeing sharp increase in positive COVID-19 cases: mayor

Mayor Jack Crompton is asking the community to stay home and stay local as Whistler sees “a sharp increase” in COVID-19 cases.

“Like other communities in BC, we are seeing COVID-19 spread locally in homes and among co-workers and we are seeing a sharp increase in positive cases,” Crompton tells Daily Hive in an emailed statement.

“I’ve asked our community members to reduce their personal contacts, stay home and stay local as the most effective things we can all do to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Whistler.”

The request comes after several exposures to COVID-19 were announced over the past week. Earlier this week, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) alerted patrons of potential exposures at Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar, as well as El Furniture Warehouse. A third exposure was also flagged, warning of exposure at The Longhorn Saloon.

• See also: 
  • Two Whistler restaurants flagged for possible COVID-19 exposure
  • BC confirmed its first case of COVID-19 in the province one year ago
  • The Longhorn Saloon flagged for possible COVID-19 exposure

A Vail Resorts spokesperson also says that some staff at Whistler Blackcomb are self-isolating.

“We were made aware by Vancouver Coastal Health, that some staff may have been exposed to COVID-19,” reads an email to Daily Hive.

“Following the recommendation of VCH and Vail Resorts own internal policies around exposure, those staff members are self-isolating.”

The resort says that there’s no impact on staffing or operations, however, and that those employees are being supported.