The Tri-Cities did not record a triple-digit count for weekly confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to new data from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
However, it's not by much amid tighter testing restrictions by provincial public health officials.
In new stats released today (April 21), a total of 95 infections were found across Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra.
The latest available Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence report is based on cases detected in the region between April 10 and 16.
The result is a 12 per cent decrease compared to 108 found in the previous week, April 3 to 9, and is he first drop in cases in just over a month.
The data accounts for the first full week after B.C. officially rescinded its proof-of-vaccination mandate at 12:01 a.m. on April 8 at non-essential events and services.
Sports games, concerts and plays have full houses again, and restaurants have been free to allow as many patrons as they can.
But, according to provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, businesses and organizations may still choose to implement the vaccine card if they believe its best for everyone's safety.
Residents are encouraged to keep the vaccine card should there also be a scenario that would lead to a decision to bring it back.
In an update today, the B.C. government says 27 more people died from COVID-19 as of April 16, bringing the province's death toll at 3,077 linked to the virus.
The 3,000 mark was surpassed in the last report on April 9 when 11 known deaths were recorded.
The number of those hospitalized with COVID-19 in B.C. has risen nearly 50 per cent, to 485 from 324, according to the new weekly data.
Locally, the Tri-Cities' 95 infections is the sixth-highest count across the province with Central Okanagan tallying 146, and the second-highest in Fraser Health after Surrey at 135.
EAGLE RIDGE OUTBREAK
Eagle Ridge Hospital is still on alert for a COVID-19 outbreak within a medicine unit.
This is the Port Moody facility's fifth outbreak since the pandemic began — declared on April 7 — and we still don't have an official word on the number of cases, but no deaths have been recorded.
Fraser Health explains an outbreak is declared at an acute care site when at least one person has been diagnosed with the virus.
Spokesperson Nick Eagland says infections in all acute-care settings are not going to be shared publicly moving forward.
"Given the nature of the circulating Omicron variant, we do not share case counts as they no longer provide an accurate reflection of how COVID-19 is impacting patients, staff, and medical staff in acute care settings. We continue to follow all necessary protocols to contain COVID-19 outbreaks and protect patients, staff and medical staff, including the BC Centre for Disease Control’s outbreak management protocol for acute care settings."
The last outbreak at Eagle Ridge ended Jan. 18 in the elder acute care unit after eight infections were detected in a 13-day span — five patients and three staff members.
There have been six deaths linked to COVID-19 at the hospital, all of them took place during the first declaration in March 2021.
As well, an outbreak is in place at Ridge Meadows Hospital as of last Thursday (April 14) in one of its acute care units.
