After back-to-back decreasing trends in COVID-19 cases, the Tri-Cities is heading back in the other direction — at least for now.
There were 101 local health infections for the virus found between Nov. 7 and 13.
The number represents a 16 per cent week-over-week increase, published in the latest Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence data by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
The last time the region had a triple-digit count was between Oct. 17 and 23 when 116 were found.
A total of 98 and 87 were confirmed in the weeks that followed, which were the first two consecutive double-digit recordings since early August.
The increase is likely a result of the slight rise in case and positivity rates for the virus in communities like Coquitlam and Port Moody.
More information is in the post below.
However, vaccination rates in those same areas also climbed modestly to push some sub-regions to 90 per cent double-dose rates.
As of Thursday (Nov. 18), the Tri-Cities is nearing the same threshold with a current 89 per cent double-vaccination average against COVID-19 among eligible residents aged 12 years and older, while single jabs are above the plateau at 91.6 per cent.
The BCCDC adds that same age group is reporting a five per cent third-dose vaccination average as booster shots are underway.
Regional first and second jabs are both above B.C.'s collective averages of 90.8 and 87 per cent respectively.
In addition to the massive floods in the city, Abbotsford is also the hot spot for confirmed COVID-19 cases in the province after posting 269 between Nov. 7 and 13.
The Tri-Cities tallied the fifth-most infections in Fraser Health's vicinity last week, better than Surrey (140) Langley (138) and Chilliwack (122).
VACCINATION STATION
Coquitlam Central Station's Park and Ride overflow lot is currently the only clinic in the Tri-Cities to receive a first, second or third dose against COVID-19.
The mass immunization clinic is accepting walk-ins with no appointment is necessary.
At this time, third doses are only recommended to older eligible residents and those who are immuno-compromised — though they are not mandatory.
A full eligibility list for a third jab is available on the BCCDC's website.
If it's your first dose against COVID-19, you will need your personal health number.
If it's your second, and it's been at least 28 days since your first dose, you will need your personal health number and immunization record card.
The clinic has slightly altered its hours of operation for weekends:
- 2900 Barnet Hwy.
- 9:45 a.m. to 8 p.m. = Monday to Friday
- 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. = Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
- 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
Fraser Health does not have any pop-up COVID-19 vaccine clinics scheduled for the Tri-Cities as of this publication.
If you can't make it to the mass immunization clinic, you can click here to see other pop-up stations across the authority.
