There was a decrease in the Tri-Cities for weekly recorded COVID-19 cases.
It just wasn't by a lot.
Amid tighter testing restrictions implemented by B.C. public health, 56 lab-confirmed infections were found across Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra between Feb. 27 and March 5.
This marks a modest drop of five per cent from 59 detected in the previous count — published from the week of Feb. 20 to 26.
The new data was posted by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) in its latest available Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence report.
The Tri-Cities remains at the same count as it recorded since the first week of December when 54 were found (Dec. 5–11) as well as the first week of August before infections began to fluctuate on a weekly basis.
So, is this a sign that confirmed cases for the virus might be plateauing in the region?
B.C. provincial health Dr. Bonnie Henry has previously said data moving forward may not always be accurate as the province stopped its active infections reporting in February.
Today (March 10), she announced mandatory masks in public places will be lifted at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow (March 11) as confirmed COVID-19 cases begin to fall across the province.
As well, vaccine cards are set to end at 12:01 a.m. on April 8 for indoor ticketed events and gatherings.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry had hinted in the past few weeks such requirements might be loosened after a review from health officials.
"Our approach has always been to only have the minimum necessary restrictions to keep people safe that prevent the transmission, particularly to those who are more susceptible to severe illness with COVID-19," she said, adding British Columbians should be prepared for some of these measures to return if need be.
"Our risks now are much lower. They’re not zero and we’re not fully out of this yet."
Masks will still be required in health-care settings, physicians’ offices and patient contact areas.
But once students and staff return from spring break in their respective school districts in the coming weeks, they will have the option of choosing whether or not to wear a mask.
The province is also doing away with capacity limits on faith gatherings and restrictions on overnight child and youth camps.
Long-term care visits will be restored March 18.
The 56 found in the Tri-Cities were the fourth highest in Fraser Health, according to the latest count.
It remains on the lowest in B.C. with Kamloops as the new "hotspot" for COVID-19 after 157 were detected.
This was followed by Victoria (152), Central Okanagan (150), Surrey (140), Prince George (136) and Nanaimo (108) — the only local health regions in B.C. with a triple-digit total.
VACCINATION UPDATE
Since data expanded to include kids, Port Moody's sub-region leads all other Fraser Health municipalities with an 89 per cent double-vaccination rate against COVID-19 for those aged five years and older.
Port Moody also leads all other Fraser Health municipalities with a 45 per cent two-dose rate against the virus in kids between five and 11 years old.
Combined, the Tri-Cities hold a 92 and 88 per cent single- and double-vaccination rates for those aged five and up, as well as a 62 per cent booster average in residents aged 18 and older — the third highest in all of Fraser Health.
Those wishing to get a vaccine can do so at the Coquitlam Central SkyTrain Station's park-and-ride overflow lot as it's still acting as a COVID-19 immunization and testing centre with Fraser Health downsizing its clinics.
The Poirier Forum clinic closed at the end of February after more than 26,000 shots were administered in two months, including booster doses to those eligible and first jabs in kids.
On Monday (March 14), Fraser Health is opening a multi-vaccine station inside the Poirier Admin Building (640 Poirier St.) for children as young as four months old in order.
The following immunizations will be made available:
- COVID-19 vaccine
- For eligible children and adolescents aged five and older
- Tdap-IPV vaccine
- Protects against tetanus diphtheria, whooping cough and polio
- MMRV vaccine
- Protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox
Coquitlam Central's COVID-19 vaccine clinic operating hours and entry instructions are as follows:
- 2900 Barnet Hwy.
- 9:45 a.m. to 8 p.m. = Monday to Friday
- 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. = Saturdays and Sundays
- Entrance off Mariner Way – east side of Rona. Proceed down the ramp and turn right
- The address will direct you to the main lot on the left but COVID-19 Services are located in the overflow lot to the right
- Do not cut through the Rona parking lot. Please follow the signs
Anyone seeking a vaccine against COVID-19 is encouraged to register via B.C.'s GetVaccinated online portal or call 1-833-838-2323.
You can also visit the province's website for more information on its COVID-19 immunization plan.
- with files from Tyler Orton, Business In Vancouver
