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Case rates decline as 25% of eligible Tri-City residents receive COVID-19 vaccine booster

Fraser Health says 90 per cent of its COVID-19 cases are linked to the Omicron variant, leading to an 'increased demand' for testing.
Kyle Balzer
Kyle Balzer
BCCDC Tableau breakdown Tri-Cities - Jan. 4-10, 2022
New BC Centre for Disease Control data for Jan. 4-10 2022, breaks down the Tri-Cities into five neighbourhoods for more detailed information: North Coquitlam, Southwest Coquitlam, Southeast Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra.BCCDC

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is continuing to see spikes in case positivity across B.C., especially in Fraser Health.

The good news is, in the past week, the rate of infection declined in every sub-region of the Tri-Cities as more eligible residents are electing to receive a booster dose of vaccine against the virus.

In the last month between Dec. 14, 2021, and Jan. 11, 2022, there was a 14 per cent increase to 25 per cent in terms of third-dose vaccination average among those aged 12 and up across Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra.

Booster shots are currently available to any resident who has waited at least six months after their second dose, as well as those classified as immuno-compromised after B.C. public health officials switched to an interval-based rollout on Dec. 31.

A breakdown of the data can be found mid-way through the article.

According to Fraser Health, more people within its vicinity are asking for testing in light of Omicron, which has been dubbed a more highly transmisible mutation compared to other variants.

This includes those approaching the Coquitlam COVID-19 testing and immunization centre off Barnet Highway (7A).

Among the 15,988 active cases of the virus in the authority, Fraser Health spokesperson Curtis Harling says about 90 per cent are associated with Omicron.

"It is important to note that not everyone needs to be tested. If you do not have any symptoms, you do not need to be tested," he explained in an email to the Tri-City News.

"You do not need to get a test if you are fully vaccinated, have mild symptoms and are able to self-isolate. If you are feeling unwell, assume you have COVID-19 and stay away from others until you feel better. If you have severe symptoms, seek medical help right away. It is important to follow public health advice to ensure tests are available for those who need them most.

"This will allow health care workers to prioritize care."

Harling says antigen tests are more likely to be handed to those who arrive at the Coquitlam station, but gargle tests will be earmarked for those at a higher risk of illness and healthcare workers.

Meanwhile, the Tri-Cities also saw slight increases in first-, second- and third-dose vaccinations against COVID-19.

As of this publication, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is reporting a 45 per cent triple-vaccination rate among eligible residents aged 50 years and older — a jump of 10 per cent in the last seven days.

Fifty per cent of local kids aged five to 11 have been inoculated with a first dose of vaccine against the virus, which was a six per cent increase in one week, currently the third highest in Fraser Health behind New Westminister (53) and South Surrey/White Rock (51).

There's currently a 91 per cent double-vaccination rate among those aged 12 and up in the Tri-Cities, as well as a 93 per cent single-dose rate.

Up-to-date stats on local health area cases of COVID-19 is set to be released tomorrow (Jan. 13).

The Tri-Cities' latest surveillance numbers — collected between Jan. 4-10, 2022, by the BCCDC — are as follows. Case rates represent new cases per 100,000 people by local health area and community health service area:

North Coquitlam

  • Case rate: 87 (-63)
  • 45 per cent positivity rate
  • 51 per cent of five to 11 population vaccinated with at least one dose
  • 93 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
  • 91 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
  • 69 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose

Southwest Coquitlam

  • Case rate: 75 (-37)
  • 41 per cent positivity rate
  • 47 per cent of five to 11 population vaccinated with at least one dose
  • 95 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
  • 92 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
  • 75 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose

Southeast Coquitlam

  • Case rate: 77 (-17)
  • 38 per cent positivity rate
  • 47 per cent of five to 11 population vaccinated with at least one dose
  • 92 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
  • 90 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
  • 74 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose

Port Coquitlam

  • Case rate: 88 (-34)
  • 37 per cent positivity rate
  • 46 per cent of five to 11 population vaccinated with at least one dose
  • 92 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
  • 90 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
  • 75 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose

Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra

  • Case rate: 80 (-63)
  • 45 per cent positivity rate
  • 60 per cent of five to 11 population vaccinated with at least one dose
  • 93 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
  • 92 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
  • 79 per cent of 70+ population vaccinated with a third dose

VACCINE CLINIC RETURNING TO POIRIER

A COVID-19 mass immunization clinic is returning to Poirier Forum in Coquitlam (618 Poirier St.).

For more than five months — between March 15 and Sept. 3, 2021 — local residents had the option of receiving a dose against COVID-19 at the covered outdoor facility when B.C. continued its primary vaccination roll-out.

It's still unclear as of this publication when it'll officially open for appointments.

In its upcoming service, Fraser Health is set to focus on administering booster doses for eligible residents at Poirier, as well as first vaccine inoculations for children aged five to 11 back with boosters.

"Community support of the BC Immunization Plan is critical to the province’s response to and recovery from COVID-19, and immunity in our community," says Graham Stuart, Coquitlam's EOC public information officer.

When the forum closed its vaccine clinic, several pop-up stations were held in the Poirier Admin Building as part of Fraser Health's "hub model" for the fall before the Omicron variant of COVID-19 came into play.

Signage is being put in place in and around the Poirier Forum as the indoor space and adjacent parking areas will be used for the clinic.

Anyone seeking a vaccine against COVID-19 and wishes to get inoculated at Poirier Forum is encouraged to register via B.C.'s GetVaccinated online portal or call 1-833-838-2323.

You can visit the province's website for more information on its COVID-19 immunization plan.

More information is available on Fraser Health's website.

Meanwhile, the mass clinic and testing facility at Coquitlam Central SkyTrain station's park and ride overflow lot is still open for first, second or third doses of vaccine against COVID-19.

Its 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