The Tri-Cities are continuing to see an increase in confirmed infections for COVID-19 week after week.
Between Aug. 1 and 7, the region combined for 45 cases in communities like Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra per the latest data recorded by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
The numbers are based on Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence.
This represents a 67% increase in cases compared to 27 in the previous report, which took into account infections detected for the final week of July (25-31).
The region's new count is the fourth-highest among other Fraser Health neighbourhoods behind Surrey (107), Langley (63) and Burnaby (53).
According to B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, the rise in COVID-19 cases is mainly among unvaccinated residents and in "pockets" around the province with low immunization rates.
On Thursday (Aug. 12), she explained this has become a concern in long-term care homes.
"We now have eight outbreaks [in seniors' homes] introduced by unvaccinated people," she said. "We've seen transmission from unvaccinated staff."
There are no outbreaks in the Tri-City region, as of this publication (Aug. 13); the closest to its proximity is Holyrood Manor in Maple Ridge.
Fraser Health recorded 108 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 between Wednesday and Thursday, adding to its current pandemic total of 87,482.
There are currently 11 people admitted into critical care or ICU in the authority out of 31 hospitalizations.
TRI-CITY SURVEILLANCE DATA
Tri-City residents are still eager to get their COVID-19 vaccine second doses, now holding a collective average of nearly 76%.
The numbers — collected between Aug. 3 and 9 — broken down among the five surveillance neighbourhoods are as follows. Case rates are cases per 100,000 people by local health area and community health service area:
North Coquitlam
- Two cases
- 1% positivity rate
- 84% of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 75% of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
Southwest Coquitlam
- Three cases
- 1% positivity rate
- 85% of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 75% of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
Southeast Coquitlam
- Four cases
- 3% positivity rate
- 84% of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 75% of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
Port Coquitlam
- Three cases
- 2% positivity rate
- 84% of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 74% of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra
- Four cases
- 2% positivity rate
- 86% of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 78% of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
LOOKING TO GET VACCINATED?
Coquitlam's Poirier Forum remains open daily for first- or second-dose drop-ins between 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
A "gratitude wall" has also been set up in allowing residents to express support for healthcare and front-line workers and their efforts over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to Fraser Health, the Poirier Forum will be in "transition" on Sept. 3 — likely to be shut down entirely.
Afterwards, this will leave Coquitlam Central Station Park and Ride overflow lot as the only testing and immunization centre in all the Tri-Cities.
It currently remains open, but under the following new operating hours:
- 2900 Barnet Hwy.
- 9:45 a.m. to 8 p.m. = Monday to Friday
- 9:45 a.m. to 4 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
- with files from Glen Korstrom, Business In Vancouver
