Immunization rates are going up, meaning fewer COVID-19 infections are being detected and contributing to lower rates of transmission.
The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) has issued its new surveillance data for five Tri-City sub-regions, which averaged two lab-confirmed cases found per 100,000 population between June 15 and 21 for a median positivity rate of 1.8%.
North Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra are nearing 0% positivity rates, with southwest and southeast Coquitlam reporting less than 5% rates.
Additionally, southwest Coquitlam is now the second sub-region to reach an 80% immunization rate in terms of eligible residents aged 12 years and older who've received their first COVID-19 vaccine dose.
Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra surpassed that threshold the week of June 8, while the BCCDC says the other three areas are inching closer to that same mark, all currently holding a 79% immunization rate.
"We are progressing well, and we need to keep going," reads a joint statement from provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and health minister Adrian Dix.
"For every person who gets vaccinated, it will allow us to gradually transition and safely reopen many things that have been on hold."
The data — between June 15 and 21 — in the five neighbourhoods are as follows:
North Coquitlam
- One case
- 1% positivity rate
- 79% of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 80% of 18+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 83% of 50+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
Southwest Coquitlam
- Two cases
- 2% positivity rate
- 80% of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 81% of 18+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 86% of 50+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
Southeast Coquitlam
- Five cases
- 4% positivity rate
- 79% of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 80% of 18+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 86% of 50+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
Port Coquitlam
- One case
- 1% positivity rate
- 79% of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 80% of 18+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 87% of 50+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra
- One case
- 1% positivity rate
- 82% of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 84% of 18+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 88% of 50+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
As of this publication (June 24), Fraser Health has recorded 85,640 lab-confirmed COVID-19 infections.
There have been 915 virus-linked deaths in the regional authority since the start of the pandemic.
Currently, there are 447 active cases, 16 people admitted into critical care among 44 hospitalizations and 84,257 recoveries.
There are also no new workplace closures to COVID-19 in the Tri-Cities, according to Fraser Health.
EAGLE RIDGE HOSPITAL OUTBREAK
In Port Moody, a COVID-19 outbreak was declared for Eagle Ridge Hospital on Monday (June 21), the first since early April.
Fraser Health says nine people tested positive with the virus through evidence of transmission in a medicine/PATH unit, also known as Patient Assistance and Transition to Home.
The authority says while an outbreak has been declared, the emergency department is still open to accept patients.
In addition to enhanced cleaning, health officials are contact tracing with the goal protecting all staff and patients.
Fraser Health has notified all patients on the affected unit about the outbreak, and in addition, families of patients who are unable to share this information have been informed.
The health authority is also asking people to immediately get tested if they have symptoms.
- with files from Diane Strandberg, Tri-City News
