New data says the Tri-Cities almost returned to a plateau that hasn't been seen since the end of April.
The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) says there were 196 COVID-19 infections detected in the region, the second-highest found in the Fraser Health authority for a second consecutive week.
Only Surrey, at 311 cases, has more COVID-19 circulating in the community. Meanwhile, the B.C. hotspot continues to be Central Okanagan with 478 cases.
The numbers were collected between Aug. 29 and Sept. 4 — the latest Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence data.
The good news, if any, is that only represents a five per cent increase compared to the previous count of 187 between Aug. 22 and 28.
However, the last time Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra saw a number near or over 200 was four months ago.
A total of 277 were confirmed by the BCCDC between April 25 and May 1, which then decreased by 40 per cent to 167 the next week, May 2 to 8.
After Surrey (311) and the Tri-Cities (196), other cities with high case counts include: Abbotsford (175), Langley (157) and Burnaby (150).
MOST CASES AMONG THE UNVACCINATED
As of this publication (Sept. 1), the Tri-Cities maintain an 81.4 per cent double-vaccination average among eligible residents aged 12 years and older who've received two doses against COVID-19.
B.C.'s public health office says data between Sept. 1 and 7 shows people not fully vaccinated accounted for 78.6 per cent of new COVID-19 infections.
The data also shows between Aug. 25 and Sept. 7, unvaccinated individuals accounted for 86.3 per cent of hospitalizations.
The 4,694 cases in the week ended Sept. 7 included:
- 3,296 unvaccinated (70.2 per cent)
- 393 partially vaccinated (8.4 per cent)
- 1,005 fully vaccinated (21.4 per cent)
Of the 344 hospitalizations in the two weeks ended Sept. 7, there were:
- • 277 not vaccinated (80.5 per cent)
- • 20 partially vaccinated (5.8 per cent)
- • 47 fully vaccinated (13.7 per cent)
STILL NEED A VACCINE?
Tri-City residents aged 12 and older who still need a vaccine against COVID-19 now only have one place to go to get jabbed.
The Coquitlam Central Station Park and Ride overflow lot is taking walk-ins for first or second doses as capacity and supplies allow, and is under new operating hours to accommodate Fraser Health's fall strategy shift.
It remains open seven days a week as follows:
- 2900 Barnet Hwy.
- 9:45 a.m. to 8 p.m. = Monday to Friday
- 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. = Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
- 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
The mass immunization clinic at Poirier Forum has been closed since last Friday (Sept. 3).
As of this publication, there are no special-event clinics scheduled for the Tri-Cities.
B.C. VACCINE CARD
The B.C. Vaccine Card program is open for application for eligible residents as of Tuesday (Sept. 7).
The system takes effect Monday (Sept. 13) that will allow vaccinated individuals to attend "discretionary" events and businesses, including weddings, sports games, concerts and restaurants with liquor and table services.
However, essential services will not require proof of vaccination. This includes grocery stores and fast-food restaurants or voting locations for the 2021 federal election.
Sept. 13 to 26 will act as a grace period when British Columbians can still use the wallet-sized paper immunization cards issued to them when they received their vaccine doses if they wish to enter businesses or events without the digital card or print-out copy of the QR code.
By Oct. 24, residents are expected to be fully vaccinated to access non-essential services.
For more information, you're encouraged to visit the B.C. government's website.
