There were more COVID-19 cases found across the Tri-Cities in new local health data from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
However, it was just an increase of one infection.
Between July 18 and 24 — the latest Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence stats provided by provincial health experts — 16 lab-confirmed cases were detected in combining Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra.
The modest hop comes seven days after the region ended a 15-week streak, the first since mid-April when infections decreased in large or small quantities.
As of this publication (July 30), Fraser Health has recorded 86,440 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases since the pandemic was declared in March 2020, which has included 925 deaths linked to the virus.
Currently, there are 242 active infections across the authority, seven people in critical care among 20 hospitalizations, and 85,265 recoveries.
Government data released Thursday (July 29) pins the number of British Columbians who have received at least one jab of vaccine at 3,753,057, with 2,971,793 people having had two jabs. It estimates that this translates into 81% of the eligible population being vaccinated at least once, and 64.1% of the eligible population being vaccinated twice.
The B.C. government's most recent estimate of the province's total population is 5,147,712, so that means that about 72.9% of B.C.'s total population has had at least one dose of vaccine, and 57.7% of the province's total population has had two doses.
SURVEILLANCE DATA
The BCCDC has also unveiled a new statistic to the public in terms of the number of eligible residents 12 years and older who have received a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
Combined, the Tri-Cities hold a 68% average in this category with Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra once again leading the charge with 71%.
The same sub-region also surpassed a new milestone this week in reaching an 85% vaccination rate for eligible residents with at least one jab.
The numbers — collected between July 20 and 26 — are as follows. Case rates are new cases per 100,000 people by local health area and community health service area:
North Coquitlam
- Two cases
- 2% positivity rate
- 83% of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 66% of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
Southwest Coquitlam
- One case
- 1% positivity rate
- 84% of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 67% of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
Southeast Coquitlam
- Zero cases
- 0% positivity rate
- 83% of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 68% of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
Port Coquitlam
- One case
- 0% positivity rate
- 82% of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 68% of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra
- Two cases
- 2% positivity rate
- 85% of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 71% of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
NEED A FIRST OR SECOND VACCINE?
The Vax for B.C. province-wide initiative is going to the local movie theatre as one of many "special event clinics."
At Cineplex Coquitlam on Aug. 6, Fraser Health is set to administer vaccines between 3 and 7 p.m. in an effort to offer convenience for eligible residents who still haven't received a first dose.
If you've been jabbed once already, and it's been more than seven weeks since, the province says you can drop-in for your second dose as well.
As well, the Poirier Forum clinic remains open daily from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. for eligible residents looking for a first vaccine.
It's also now open for anyone looking to get a second jab if it's been at least 49 days since their first.
However, the vaccine clinic at the Coquitlam Central Station Park and Ride overflow lot is not listed under the Vax for B.C. plan and will continue to inoculate first doses only between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on a daily basis.
- with a file from Glen Korstrom, Business In Vancouver
