A double-up that may deserve a double-take for Tri-City residents.
The region is nearing a revisit to weekly triple-digit COVID-19 local health cases after 86 infections of the virus were detected between Aug. 8 and 14.
Not only that, the new data marks a 91% increase compared to the previous report, nearly doubling from the 45 found during the first week of August.
The numbers are based on the latest Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence, collected by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
COVID-19 local health area case numbers for Aug. 1-7, 2021. By BCCDCThe Tri-Cities also posted the second-highest case count among other Fraser Health neighbourhoods behind Surrey (155) and tied with Burnaby (86).
The last time the region recorded a three-figure number of detected COVID-19 cases was 101 between May 23 and 29.
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has explained the increases are mainly lab-confirmed cases among unvaccinated residents and in "pockets" around B.C. with low immunization rates.
As of this publication (Aug. 19), Fraser Health has 1,112 active cases in its vicinity, which includes the communities of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra.
To date, 88,448 COVID-19 cases have been recorded since the start of the pandemic in March 2020; about 98% of those are considered fully recovered and 927 people have died from complications with the virus.
There are 16 people admitted into critical care among 42 total hospitalizations across Fraser Health.
SPECIAL EVENT CLINICS
Immunizations are starting to noticeably wither down across the province, forcing health authorities to change strategies to their network of clinics.
For Fraser Health, it's decided to close the mass vaccination clinic at the Poirier Forum in Coquitlam on Sept. 3, 2021, but to help fill the void in the short term, it's scheduled to host two special-event clinics before Labour Day.
Nurses are planning to set up shop to jab shoulders of eligible residents aged 12 years and older at the Port Coquitlam Farmers Market on Aug. 26 and at the ScotFestBC Highland Games on Sept. 4.
In a statement to the Tri-City News, spokesperson Curtis Harling explains a "hub model" is being planned for the fall as part of Fraser Health's next phase in COVID-19 response.
"Residents who live in the Tri-Cities area and need their first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will have several options available to them, including other mass immunization clinics and COVID-19 testing and immunization centres," he said, noting the clinic at the Coquitlam Central Station overflow parking lot will remain open under different operating hours.
"Additionally, people can also quickly and efficiently access vaccines at one of Fraser Health’s outreach or neighbourhood clinics, and community initiatives – such as beach-side immunization clinics or mobile bus clinics."
The window between COVID-19 vaccine doses is now 28 days, per Dr. Henry.
Details for the special-event clinics are as follows:
- Port Coquitlam Farmers Market
- 200 - 2253 Leigh Square Place
- Aug. 26, 3 to 7 p.m.
- ScotFestBC
- LaFarge Lake Park, Coquitlam
- Sept. 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information on vaccine clinics and their locations, you're encouraged to visit Fraser Health's website.
