Surprisingly, it's been nearly two months since the Tri-Cities saw a dip in COVID-19 cases.
The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) confirmed 53 cases of the virus from the final week of July across Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra in its latest weekly available data.
The new stat was published yesterday (Aug. 4) in the organization's newest Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence report accounting for infections found between July 24 and 30.
It's a 15 per cent decrease compared to the 62 infections detected from July 17 to 23.
The last time the BCCDC recorded a drop in weekly cases for the region was between June 5 and 11 — 34 infections of COVID-19 were confirmed by public health officials, which was a 13 per cent drop from its previous report (39).
The decrease comes a few short weeks after B.C. unveiled its plans to roll out second boosters to the general public in the fall.
For several months, fourth doses against COVID-19 have only been made available to specific groups, primarily seniors and those with extremely health issues.
This includes residents aged 70 years and older, Indigenous people 55 and older, those living in residential care homes and those classified as severely immunocompromised.
An official timeline has yet to be released, but it'll be some time between September and December as there's a greater risk for seasonal spread with dropping temperatures.
Port Coquitlam recently became the last Tri-Cities sub-region to reach the 60 per cent triple-vaccination plateau among all residents eligible to receive a shot against COVID-19.
The Tri-Cities' three-dose average is now just over 60 per cent, according to the BCCDC, while also maintaining 92 and 90 per cent single- and double-vaccination statuses respectively.
The 53 cases recently recorded in the region is the second highest in both B.C. and Fraser Health
Surrey has gone back into triple-digits with 116 infections between July 24 and 30 — an increase of 42 per cent from the week prior (82).
Kids' clinic
Port Moody is hosting a new clinic in the Tri-Cities specifically for parents looking to get their young kids immunized against COVID-19.
The Newport Public Health Unit opened on Tuesday (Aug. 2) as part of B.C.'s next phase in its vaccine rollout after a modified dose of Moderna's mRNA vaccine was approved for children aged six months to four years old.
Health Canada made the decision on July 14 following a recommendation by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.
It's a two-dose series and B.C.'s health ministry said families will receive an invitation for the second appointment roughly eight weeks after the first.
Children who have recently had COVID-19 can get the vaccine eight weeks after their symptoms started or they tested positive.
In addition to Newport — located at 200-205 Newport Dr. across from Port Moody city hall — standalone children's clinics are set to offer the pediatric vaccine.
Appointments are open for booking during the following operating hours:
- 9 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. (weekdays)
- 9 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. (weekends)
Parents and guardians can register their kids online via B.C.'s GetVaccinated online portal; an invitation to book an appointment will then be sent via text, email or phone call.
You can also visit the province's website for more information or call 1-833-838-2323.
Multi-vaccination clinic
Meanwhile, Fraser Health continues to host a second general population clinic in Coquitlam for anyone seeking a first, second or third dose against COVID-19.
The Poirier Admin Building (640 Poirier St.) is taking appointments for vaccinations against the virus, as well as for other diseases.
This includes:
- 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
The clinic is open seven days a week from 9:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
It began operating in March after Fraser Health shut down its mass immunization clinic in the park-and-ride overflow lot at Coquitlam Central SkyTrain station in a new strategy to meet what demand was left.
Parents and guardians looking to get their child protected can also visit the clinic. Booking an appointment in advance is preferred, says Fraser Health.
