For the first time in three weeks, the number of COVID-19 cases in the Tri-Cities has dropped below 50.
A total of 47 infections were found among the latest data collected by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) — published Thursday (Aug. 11) in the organization's newest Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence report.
The cases were confirmed accounting for the week of July 31 to Aug. 6.
The 11 per cent dip marks a second straight weekly decrease in infections detected across Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra.
It almost matched the same slope from the previously-recorded stats.
Between July 24 and 30, the BCCDC found 53 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Tri-Cities, which was a 15 per cent decrease from the 62 infections detected a week earlier (July 17-23).
And surprisingly, that erased a seven-week without a drop in cases for the virus, going back to the first full week of June.
That total, 34, remains the one of the lowest number of infections confirmed in the region since the start of 2022.
As of this publication (Aug. 12), the week of June 19 to 25 has recorded the fewest Tri-City weekly-confirmed cases this year at 23.
The 47 recently recorded was the third highest number of cases detected in any B.C. local health region — second in Fraser Health.
Surrey is back in double-digits, but still has the most infections of COVID-19 at 78, while Victoria recorded 51 in the new data.
Kids' clinic
Vaccinations against the virus across the Tri-Cities remain unchanged, maintaining 92, 90 and 60 per cent single-, double- and triple-dose average rates for eligible residents aged five and up.
However, those numbers could change soon as kids between six months and four years old are starting to get immunized with a modified dose of Moderna's mRNA vaccine, which was approved by Health Canada on July 14.
Port Moody's Newport Public Health Unit opened on Aug. 2 for bookings as the Tri-Cities' regional children's vaccination clinic during the latest stage of B.C.'s vaccination roll-out.
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)
It's set to be 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.
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.
