Another significant drop in locally detected COVID-19 cases — most involving the Omicron variant — has brought the Tri-Cities back to a range not seen since before the holidays.
There were 251 recorded and lab-confirmed infections in the region between Jan. 30 and Feb. 5, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
This is a 20 per cent dip compared to the 313 identified in the previous count Jan. 23–29, also returning the Tri-Cities back to a low from about two months ago.
Nearly 200 cases were found across Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore and Belcarra between Dec. 12 and 18 before jumping 312 per cent to 796 the week of Christmas Day (Dec. 25).
The new number also marks the fifth straight week of declining recorded cases since the region hit a peak of 2,055 infections during the final week of 2021 — the highest in a seven-day period since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
The Tri-Cities had the second-highest new weekly total in Fraser Health and the sixth-highest in all of B.C.
Central Okanagan is now the province's current "hotspot" with 754 infections found in the BCCDC's latest Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence.
Surrey, however, is not far behind despite seeing a notable drop from 1,018 to 751 cases.
Prince George (555), Kamloops (524) and Penticton (255) round out the current top five.
SOME COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS EXPIRE SOON
A number of B.C.'s current COVID-19 public health orders — such as ones limiting restaurant capacity, and banning wedding receptions — expire next week on Feb. 16.
However, in an update on Wednesday (Feb. 9), provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry she did not give guidance on which ones will be renewed, and which ones will not.
Instead, she said she will provide an update next week. "What you will hear next week will be the details of how we're going to be moving forward," she said.
Eliminating the B.C. Vaccine Card is not one of the changes that she is considering.
COVID-19 hospitalizations in B.C. at a near three-week low https://t.co/4kxsrkV8mD pic.twitter.com/GX3EoAh5ME
— Tri-City News (@TriCityNews) February 10, 2022
VACCINATION UPDATE
The BCCDC says, in the Tri-Cities, 52 per cent of eligible residents aged 12 years and older have been inoculated with three doses of vaccine against COVID-19.
This includes the 12-17 age group that recently started receiving invitations for booster shots, and is also above the provincial average rate of 45.2 per cent.
Tri-City residents above 50 years old account for 70 per cent of triple vaccinations, as well as 80 per cent for seniors 70 and up.
There were also saw slight bumps in regional first- and second-dose vaccination rates to 94 and 92 per cent respectively.
Those wishing seeking a first, second or booster dose against the virus have two clinic options in the Tri-Cities once an invitation has been distributed, both in Coquitlam
The Poirier Forum's large immunization station — at 25,000 sq. ft. of covered outdoor space — is allowing hundreds of potential eligible individuals to get jabbed.
Fraser Health's calendar shows the clinic is open seven days a week between 10:45 a.m. and 5:05 p.m.
As well, the Coquitlam Central SkyTrain station's park and ride overflow lot is open for appointment bookings for vaccines as an immunization clinic and testing centre.
Its operating hours are as follows:
- 2900 Barnet Hwy.
- 9:45 a.m. to 8 p.m. = Monday to Friday
- 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. = Saturdays and Sundays
- 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
Anyone seeking a vaccine against COVID-19 is encouraged to register via B.C.'s GetVaccinated online portal or call 1-833-838-2323.
You can also visit the province's website for more information on its COVID-19 immunization plan.
- with files from Glen Korstrom, Business In Vancouver
