It appears the COVID-19 pandemic outlook in the Tri-Cities is now doing better compared to a year ago.
Experts from the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) say 35 lab-confirmed cases of the virus were found between Aug. 7 and 13 — the latest report posted today (Aug. 18).
And that's 60 per cent fewer infections across Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra in comparison to last year's stats, which saw 86 between Aug. 8 and 14, 2021.
The numbers are collected weekly by B.C. public health officials amid implemented tighter testing restrictions, and published in the BCCDC's newest Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence data.
The 35 cases also represent a 26 per cent week-to-week dip from 47 detected between July 31 and Aug. 6.
It's also the first time in two months the Tri-Cities have recorded roughly the same number of infections.
There were 34 detected by experts in back-to-back BCCDC reports between June 5 and 18.
As of this publication (Aug. 18), the Tri-Cities recorded the fifth fewest cases in its local health vicinity compared to others across B.C.
Surrey tallied the most at 68 in the latest data, followed by Central Okanagan (57), Burnaby (39) and Victoria (36).
Meanwhile, it appears metrics tracking the COVID-19 pandemic declined slightly.
The number of deaths linked to the virus fell to 24 from 28 in the week leading up to Aug. 13, according to new B.C. government data.
However, it's unclear whether the province will alter those numbers later today given that two sets of numbers were released last Thursday. The government has said that its weekly COVID-19 updates are delivered each Thursday at 1 p.m.
Data for new COVID-19 deaths includes anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 within 30 days and then died — a calculation that could include people who tested positive and then died in vehicle accidents.
As has been the case each week since the government shifted to weekly data reporting in April, the provincial total for all deaths from the disease has risen by more than the new weekly total — a phenomenon that casts doubt on the reliability of the information.
The number of deaths throughout the pandemic in B.C. rose by 42 in the past week, to 4,037 despite only 24 new deaths reported.
Glacier Media has asked the Ministry of Health why the death toll consistently rises more than the number of new deaths but has not received a satisfactory explanation. The ministry's most recent response was that the data "may be incomplete," but there has never been any updates to previously announced weekly death totals.
Tri-Cities kids' clinic
Vaccinations against the virus across the Tri-Cities remain unchanged, maintaining 92, 90 and 60 per cent single-, double- and triple-dose average rates for eligible residents aged five and up.
Those numbers could change soon as parents with kids between six months and four years old are beginning to book appointments to receive a modified dose of Moderna's mRNA vaccine.
On Aug. 2, Fraser Health opened the Newport Public Health Unit — located at 200-205 Newport Dr. across from Port Moody city hall — as the Tri-Cities' regional children's vaccination clinic. Standalone clinics are also set to offer the pediatric vaccine.
Appointments can be booked for the following operating hours:
- 9 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. (weekdays)
- 9 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. (weekends)
It's set to be a two-dose series and B.C.'s health ministry said families will receive an invitation for the second appointment roughly eight weeks after the first.
Children who have recently had COVID-19 can get the vaccine eight weeks after their symptoms started or they tested positive.
Parents and guardians can register their kids online via B.C.'s GetVaccinated online portal; an invitation to book an appointment will then be sent via text, email or phone call.
You can also visit the province's website for more information or call 1-833-838-2323.
Multi-vaccination clinic
Fraser Health also has a general population clinic in Coquitlam for residents seeking a first, second or third dose against COVID-19.
Eligible residents can book an appointment for one of several vaccines offered at the Poirier Admin Building (640 Poirier St.).
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
The clinic is open seven days a week from 9:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
- with files from Glen Korstrom, Business In Vancouver
