COVID-19 cases rising in Whistler, B.C.

Vancouver Coastal Health is urging residents and visitors in Whistler, B.C., to do what they can to prevent community transmission of COVID-19 amid a rise in cases.

The health authority says in a news release that 288 infections have been recorded in the resort community between Jan. 1 and 26.

It says the majority of those cases were young people in their 20s and 30s who live, work and socialized together.

None of those infections have yet resulted in hospitalization or death.

Whistler saw a similar spike in cases in November that was resolved in early December.

Over the past week, Vancouver Coastal Health has issued six public exposure notifications for restaurants and bars in the community.

The authority says public health guidance for residents and visitors includes avoiding all non-essential travel and urges people to visit their local mountain for winter activities.

It also urges British Columbians to keep to their household bubbles and avoid social gatherings, practise physical distancing and wear a mask, if possible.

"Stay home if you have any symptoms and get tested if your symptoms are consistent with COVID-19," it says.

There are currently 4,299 active COVID-19 cases across British Columbia, including 921 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region.