Week-to-week lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases continue to trend in the right direction for the Tri-Cities.
A dozen infections (12) were detected between June 27 and July 3 in the region, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control's (BCCDC) latest geographic distribution by local health area of case residence.
This marks the second consecutive week the number has decreased by eight cases as the previous count went down to 20 (June 20-26) from 28 (June 13-19).
The new data also represents a drop of nearly 85% in the last month; 81 were found between May 30 and June 5.
The decrease can likely be attributed to the rise in COVID-19 vaccinations.
As of Wednesday (July 7), all Tri-City regions have reached an 80% immunization rate in terms of eligible residents aged 12 years and older who've received their first of two jabs.
Coquitlam three sub-regions — as well as Port Coquitlam — officially joined the 'Mayors Challenge' club nearly a month after Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra became the first in all of Fraser Health to reach that threshold.
The result of the increase in doses inoculated has led to now 0% positivity rates in sub-regions like Port Moody and southwest Coquitlam, while the rest maintain either 1% or 2% with fewer cases of the virus detected.
The Tri-Cities continues to post the third-highest weekly local health area case count across Fraser Health with Surrey (28) remaining as B.C.'s current 'hot spot' for COVID-19.
DEATHS DURING EAGLE RIDGE HOSPITAL OUTBREAK
Fraser Health confirmed with Tri-City News this week that two people have died due to complications with COVID-19 since an outbreak was declared in a ward of Eagle Ridge Hospital on June 21, 2021.
Nine COVID-19 cases were initially confirmed when Fraser Health found evidence of transmission in a medicine/PATH unit (Patient Assistance and Transition to Home) and the number has since gone up to 13 as of this publication (July 9).
"Upon declaring the outbreak, Fraser Health immediately implemented precautions, including enhanced cleaning as well as contact tracing to protect the health of all staff, medical staff, and patients," said authority spokesperson Dixon Tam.
"The emergency department at Eagle Ridge Hospital remains open and there has been no impact to any other areas of the hospital."
Eagle Ridge remains one of three active outbreaks for COVID-19 across B.C, one of two in all of Fraser Health:
- Laurel Place at Surrey Memorial Hospital
- Royal Inland Hospital (Interior Health)
STILL NEED A FIRST VACCINE DOSE?
Coquitlam's two COVID-19 vaccine clinics are at normal operations, according to Fraser Health.
The locations accepting walk-ins for eligible residents 12 years and older who haven't received their first jab 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.
To date, 78.4% of British Columbians 12 and older have been vaccinated against COVID-19, and 40% are now fully vaccinated with two doses.
