Slowly but surely, the Tri-Cities continue to inch forward on the route to mass immunization during the current stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the latest data from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) — between June 8 and 14 — all five surveillance sub-regions are above 75% in terms of the number of eligible residents 12 and up that have received a first vaccine, including Port Moody's neck of the woods at 80%.
This was the set goal during Fraser Health's Mayors Challenge and Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra is one of the first to reach that threshold, alongside other regions like Walnut Grove/Fort Langley, Burnaby Northwest, Delta-Ladner and Tsawwassen.
The Tri-Cities currently posts an average week-to-week rate of 2.4 cases found, less than half of the previous data that counted 5.2 cases in a seven-day period.
The data — between June 8 and 14 — in the five neighbourhoods are as follows:
North Coquitlam
- Two cases
- 2% positivity rate
- 77% of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 78% of 18+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 82% of 50+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
Southwest Coquitlam
- Two cases
- 2% positivity rate
- 78% of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 79% of 18+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 84% of 50+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
Southeast Coquitlam
- Three cases
- 3% positivity rate
- 77% of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 78% of 18+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 84% of 50+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
Port Coquitlam
- Two cases
- 2% positivity rate
- 77% of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 78% of 18+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 85% of 50+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra
- Three cases
- 3% positivity rate
- 80% of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 82% of 18+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 86% of 50+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
As of this publication (June 16), Fraser Health has recorded 85,324 lab-confirmed COVID-19 infections.
There have been 913 virus-linked deaths in the regional authority since the start of the pandemic.
Currently, there are 648 active cases, 16 people admitted into critical care among 56 hospitalizations and 83,734 recoveries.
There are also no new workplace closures to COVID-19 in the Tri-Cities, according to Fraser Health.
STEP TWO OF B.C.'S RESTART PLAN IN EFFECT
Some restrictions have loosened as the province officially began its second phase of the restart plan on Tuesday (June 15), which was made possible with at least 65% of adults getting jabbed with their first COVID-19 vaccine dose and a continued decline in cases and hospitalizations.
This includes movie theatres reopening, the serving of liquor in restaurants until midnight and recreational travel throughout all corners of B.C. and even
However, the province is advising against non-essential travel from other provinces.
“As we open up we must be respectful to people and communities with different comfort levels and different risk levels,” B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said.
She said it’s possible that existing public health orders can be rescinded in the coming months and replaced by recommendations as officials review COVID-19 case data.
In addition to allowing indoor seated gatherings of up to 50 patrons — the key factor behind reopening movies theatres and banquet halls, albeit at limited capacity — British Columbians will also be permitted to hold outdoor gatherings of up to 50 people.
And people can invite either up to five others or one other household into their homes, high-intensity indoor fitness classes can resume at reduced capacity and indoor team games will be allowed — but without spectators.
Spectators will be allowed to gather for outdoor sports, as long as the gathering does not exceed 50 people. Masks will still be required for indoor public spaces.
The reopening of nightclubs is not on the table until at least July 1 with the potential arrival of Stage 3.
- with files from Tyler Orton, Business In Vancouver
