A pair of sub-regions in the Tri-Cities have reached a long-awaited plateau after inching their way week after week.
Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra and southwest Coquitlam are the first of the region's five surveillance areas to get to 90 per cent double-vaccination rates against COVID-19, according to the latest update by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
The milestone for eligible residents aged 12 years and older was recorded between Nov. 9 and 15, which also bumped the Tri-Cities' average double-dose rate to 89 per cent.
Southwest Coquitlam was also the first to reach the 90 per cent single-vaccination mark in late September.
The current regional average sits at 91.6 per cent — another weekly modest increase of 0.6 per cent compared to the previous data.
While vaccinations are on the rise, there was a steady uptick in case rates for Coquitlam's three BCCDC jurisdictions.
Case rates represent new cases per 100,000 people by local health area and community health service area. The latest numbers are:
North Coquitlam
- Case rate: Seven (+3)
- Two per cent positivity rate (-)
- 91 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 89 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
Southwest Coquitlam
- Case rate: Seven (+1)
- Three per cent positivity rate (+1)
- 93 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 90 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
Southeast Coquitlam
- Case rate: Eight (+3)
- Three per cent positivity rate (+1)
- 91 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 88 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
Port Coquitlam
- Case rate: Four (-1)
- One per cent positivity rate (-1)
- 91 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 88 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
Port Moody-Anmore-Belcarra
- Case rate: One (-3)
- Zero per cent positivity rate (-2)
- 92 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with at least one dose
- 90 per cent of 12+ population vaccinated with a second dose
DUFFERIN CARE CENTRE OUTBREAK
As of this publication (Nov. 18), there are seven known lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 during the ongoing outbreak at Dufferin Care Centre in Coquitlam.
This may have contributed to the slight rise in case rates as this includes five residents and two staff members.
Fraser Health confirmed with the Tri-City News this week that 98 per cent of Dufferin residents received a booster dose against the virus.
The BCCDC adds nine per cent of eligible Tri-City residents aged 50 years and older have been jabbed with a third vaccine — five per cent for the 12-and-up group.
There's also an 89.4 per cent double-vaccination and 91.4 per cent single-dose averages against COVID-19 among those aged 50 and older.
WHERE CAN I GET VACCINATED?
First, second and third doses against COVID-19 are being offered to walk-ins at Coquitlam Central Station's Park and Ride overflow lot — the only mass immunization clinic set up across the Tri-Cities.
No appointment is necessary to receive a vaccine at this station.
Third doses are non-mandatory and are only recommended at this time to older eligible residents and those who are immuno-compromised.
A full eligibility list 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's hours of operations 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, 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.
