There was a decline in weekly lab-confirmed local COVID-19 cases in the Tri-Cities.
Just not by much.
In fact, there was just one less infection as 65 were found across Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra between May 15 and 21.
That's a 1.5 per cent drop compared to the 66 detected in the week prior (May 8 to 14), according to the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), which was a 37 per cent decrease from the 104 infections over the first week of the month.
It also keeps the region at an eight-week low when 62 cases were recorded between March 27 and April 2.
The data is published by the BCCDC's Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence report.
Once more, the numbers are collected amid tighter testing restrictions and may not be as "accurate," according to B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.
This is because, in December 2021, she advised people who were vaccinated and had mild symptoms to not get tested and to simply self-isolate. She said at the time that this was to increase testing capacity for those with more serious symptoms and those who are more vulnerable.
Nonetheless, B.C. today (May 26) reported 1,358 known cases across the province in the week up until May 21.
In that week, officials conducted 22,210 tests, for a 6.11 per cent positive-test rate. That is the lowest positive test rate since April 14.
Another 42 people are listed as having died with COVID-19 in the week up to May 21, even though the province's pandemic death toll rose by 71, to 3,469, in that time frame.
The Tri-Cities' 65 cases is the third-highest amount in Fraser Health from the latest reporting period.
Surrey recorded 106 infections was the only triple-digit count in all of B.C.
Burnaby had the second-highest in the Lower Mainland with 73.
Vaccination update
When it comes to vaccinations, the Tri-Cities boasts a 59 per cent booster-dose average against COVID-19 as the BCCDC's data now includes adolescents aged 12 to 17, as well as those aged 18 and older.
The region also maintains 92 and 90 per cent rates for first- and second-vaccination rates respectively among all eligible residents above age five.
So, in an effort to meet any demand that's left for a vaccine, Fraser Health is still offering a pair of clinics in Coquitlam.
The mass COVID-19 immunization and testing centre is set up at the Coquitlam Central SkyTrain Station (2900 Barnet Hwy.) in the park-and-ride overflow lot under the following operating hours:
- 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
