Fernie COVID-19 cases are down to two from 97, showing the local community has worked hard to flatten the curve and will continue to do so.

B.C.’s recent success in wrestling down the number of new COVID-19 infections may be in jeopardy however, given that the province detected 617 new cases in a 24-hour period that ended February 18.

The province did not break down the new cases to say how many are actually new variants of the virus, which are said to be more infectious than the main COVID-19 virus, and potentially more deadly.

In Fernie it became evident as a result of the local COVID Cluster announced in late January that stronger communications were needed at a local level. One of the initiatives was the unique, yet simple website launched in early February called www.FernieStrong.com.

“Tourism Fernie wanted to be involved in helping the community in any way it could. We’ve been messaging the PHO orders and restrictions since March and have a vast array of marketing tools so we felt creating www.FernieStrong.com in partnership with the Fernie Chamber, local health officials and businesses was a great way to help,” exclaimed Jikke Gyorki, Executive Officer of Tourism Fernie.

Since the cluster data indicated many of the cases were a result of local social gatherings going against the current PHO order and the challenges of following, or being able to follow, the orders when living in housing where multiple people are sharing living quarters together, the site focused on targeting this challenge. This was a somewhat common trend at resort communities including Whistler, Revelstoke and Big White.

The CBC also reported why people working snowy slopes may be at greater risk of catching COVID than skiers.

Keep up the great work Fernie and hopefully the new Covid-19 variants don’t come to town.