The Resort Municipality of Sun Peaks says Dr. Chip Bantock is the communities first confirmed case of COVID-19.

“We had chosen to keep Dr. Bantock’ s name confidential immediately following the positive test results to give [him] the opportunity to contact all patients that may be at risk, to discuss the situation with them directly and appropriately assist them with any fears or anxiety upon hearing the news,” said Dr. Shane Barclay, the Medical Director at the Sun Peaks Health Centre, in a statement.

Barclay says Dr. Bantock was likely exposed through his work as a medical professional. He adds if people haven’t been contacted, they’re at no greater risk than they have been to date.

“Due to our limited knowledge of this disease it is impossible to know when and from whom exactly Dr. Bantock contracted COVID,” Barclay said. “Which emphasizes the need for everyone to be vigilant and assume that everyone has the virus.”

People are once again being reminded to social distance from one another, wash hands regularly, and follow the directions of health experts.

“Due to the limited number of tests available, formal testing is currently limited to active medical professionals, hospital in-patients and long-term care residents,” added Barclay.

“Thus, there are most likely many cases of COVID-19, including here in Sun Peaks, that will not be recorded as an official confirmed case in the updated numbers we hear every day.”

Province-wide, there have now been 424 cases of the virus reported, 27 of those are in the Interior Health Authority. This is one of just two known locations of the virus across Interior Health, the other being in Revelstoke. Health authorities and the province have not revealed where people have tested positive for COVID-19, citing privacy.

At this time, Dr. Bantock is in quarantine at home. He will return to work once he has been cleared.