Interior Health authorities reported nine new cases of the coronavirus in the region since Thursday, bringing the total number of Interior cases to 369.

137 cases have been linked to Kelowna since June 26, due to a number of large social gatherings that occurred in the city. This marks an increase of seven over the last 24 hours.

About 60-percent of the Kelowna-linked cases have since fully recovered.

There have been eight total cases of healthcare workers at Kelowna General Hospital contracting the virus, a number that has not changed since yesterday.

No cases are currently hospitalized.

Interior Health Medical Health Officer Dr. Silvina Mema said that the July long weekend was a reminder of how the virus can spread, and cautioned against making the same mistakes this upcoming BC Day weekend.

“The increases in Kelowna started with a relatively small number of positive cases. The spread from these gatherings shows just how important it is to keep to (Provincial Health Officer) Dr. Bonnie Henry’s recommendation of fewer faces, bigger spaces.

“Here’s what to avoid this August long weekend:  large gatherings, especially indoors, of people who don’t know each other. We are urging everyone this long weekend to keep your gatherings small; to people you know; to those in your bubble.

“Dr. Henry has asked all of us to support each other, encourage our family and friends to #SocializeSafely and to be her voice on social media.  We know that we can make a difference in how the pandemic impacts our region, by following public health guidelines.  Ask yourselves and each other #WhatWouldDrHenryDo – be a leader and a role model through your actions.

“By following public health guidance for gatherings, practices social distancing and the other recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19, then we can have a safe August in Interior Health. We all need to work together to make that possible – starting this long weekend and in the weeks ahead.

“The BC Day weekend is our weekend. We can make it a memorable one if we socialize safely.”