Are tighter testing restrictions a likely reason for the snaking weekly trends of COVID-19 cases in the Tri-Cities?
Perhaps.
New data released today (May 5) by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) shows the region recorded 87 lab-confirmed infections for the virus between April 24 and 30.
This marks a 20 per cent decrease and a return to double-digits once again compared to 109 found in the previous week, April 17 to 23.
It's also the lowest number of cases detected in a seven-day span since the final week of March (62) for Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra.
According to BCCDC data, this is the fourth consecutive biweekly roller coaster trend for the Tri-Cities:
- 87 cases (20 per cent decrease)
- April 24 to 30
- 109 cases (15 per cent increase)
- April 17 to 23
- 95 cases (12 per cent decrease)
- April 10 to 16
- 108 cases (74 per cent increase)
- April 3 to 9
- 62 cases (88 per cent increase)
- March 27 to April 2
- 33 cases (33 per cent decrease)
- March 20 to 26
- 49 cases (11 per cent increase)
- March 13 to 19
- 44 cases (21 per cent decrease)
- March 6 to 18
The numbers are collected and published in the BCCDC's latest available Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence report.
The 87 cases found over the final week of April was the second highest recorded in Fraser Health — Surrey had the most with 227 — and the fifth highest compared to all B.C. health regions.
As well, new data today (May 5) shows B.C. with fewer COVID-19 patients in hospitals and in the intensive care units (ICUs) of those hospitals.
There are 550 COVID-19 patients in B.C. hospitals, with 39 of those in ICUs — down from 570 one week ago, when 47 of those were in ICUs.
These counts include people who went to hospital because of bad COVID-19 infections, and those who went to hospital for other reasons and then tested positive for the virus.
The BCCDC's death counts have not added up for weeks. This week, the BCCDC said there were 50 new COVID-19 deaths in the week that ended April 30.
This is despite the province's official COVID-19 death toll rising by 79.
Vaccination update
This week, the Tri-Cities surpassed a significant milestone for vaccinations against COVID-19.
Regional kids aged five to 11 are now at a 65 per cent rate with at least one dose of vaccine, marking an 11 per cent average monthly growth since first shots became available to the age group in November 2021.
It's the third-highest rate for the age group compared to other jurisdictions within Fraser Health behind Burnaby (69 per cent) and New Westminster (68 per cent).
And half of those kids in the Tri-Cities (50 per cent) have elected to get a second jab in the shoulder to better protect themselves from the virus — also the third highest in Fraser Health.
The Tri-Cities is currently at a 58 per cent threshold for eligible people aged five years and older that have chosen to get a booster dose against COVID-19, as well as 92 and 90 per cent first- and second-dose rates.
Meanwhile, Fraser Health is continuing to meet what demand is left for COVID-19 vaccinations in the region.
The authority's immunization and testing centre is set up at Coquitlam Central SkyTrain Station (2900 Barnet Hwy.) in its park-and-ride overflow lot.
Its operating hours are:
- 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- 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.
A multi-vaccination clinic is also in place at the Poirier Admin Building (640 Poirier St.), giving parents and guardians with kids as young as four months old the chance to receive a number of different vaccinations.
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
- with files from Glen Korstrom, Business In Vancouver
