There was a decrease in new COVID-19 cases in the Tri-Cities, but not by much.
According to the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), 11 lab-confirmed infections were recently detected across Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra.
The data was collected between July 4 and 10 for the latest geographic distribution by local health area of case residence.
A dozen (12) were found in the previous week-to-week count by the BCCDC.
The Tri-Cities' local health area was one of four across the western section of Fraser Health that a decline in cases in addition to Delta (7), Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows (6) and South Surrey/White Rock (4).
Places like Surrey (50), Abbotsford (19) and Burnaby (14) saw their numbers slightly increased.
This comes as each surveillance sub-region in the Tri-Cities is nearing a 0% positivity rate as Stage Three of B.C.'s COVID-19 restart plan has settled in on the summer and vaccinations continue to ramp up.
As of Wednesday (July 14), the region is averaging a combined 82% immunization rate a week after Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam crossed the 80% threshold.
The percentage is related to eligible residents aged 12 years and older who've received their first vaccine jab.
The COVID-19 outbreak within a medicine unit at Port Moody's Eagle Ridge Hospital was also declared over this week by Fraser Health.
In total, the province said 3,681,088 people have now had at least one shot of vaccine, while 2,253,818 of those are fully vaccinated.
All British Columbians who have been vaccinated are at least 12 years old, and government officials' math holds that 79.4% of this age group have now had at least one shot, and that 48.6% of this age group are fully vaccinated.
DO YOU STILL NEED A FIRST VACCINE DOSE?
Rocky Point Park is set to be the latest pop-up location for a COVID-19 immunization clinic.
The popular Port Moody summer hangout — located at 2800 Murray St. — will see Fraser Health workers administer vaccines on Saturday (July 17) to eligible residents who haven't received their first dose.
Those aged 12 years and older are invited to come to the park between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to get jabbed.
Meanwhile, Coquitlam's two COVID-19 vaccine clinics are accepting walk-ins for eligible residents 12 years and older who haven't received their first jab.
The locations are as follows:
- Coquitlam Central Station Park and Ride overflow lot (2900 Barnet Hwy.)
- 10 a.m. to 3:30 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
- Poirier Forum (618 Poirier St.)
- 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
WHEN CAN I GET MY SECOND DOSE?
Those who've registered through the B.C.'s GetVaccinated portal for their first vaccine will receive a notification — by the method you selected during the initial registration — when they can book an appointment to receive their second jab.
Fraser Health says if you booked your first dose through the authority's website or your local pharmacy, you're asked to register with the provincial system.
If you visit the Rocky Point Park pop-up clinic looking for a second dose, you'll be placed on a virtual waitlist.
If there's enough vaccines left, you'll be sent a text to come back later on Saturday.
- with a file from Glen Kordstrom, Business In Vancouver
