COVID-19 case counts in New Westminster are increasing faster than vaccination rates – but, on the up side, case numbers are still low and vaccination rates are high.
Two weeks ago, New Westminster’s COVID-19 numbers had fallen to a record low, with a single case recorded in the week of July 18 to 24. The following week, July 25 to 31, saw that quintuple to five. This week (Aug. 1 to 7), it’s quintupled – and a bit more – again, with 26 new cases, according to this morning’s B.C. Centre for Disease Control surveillance data.*
The city’s average daily case rate is now at 5 per 100,000, up from 1 per 100,000 in the previous week.
Test positivity has also risen from 1% last week to 3% this week – and 5% for all MSP-funded tests.
New Westminster’s proportion of B.C. cases continues to hold steady, as the city had 1% of cases recorded between Aug. 3 and 9 – compared to 2% of the population.
That keeps it on par with neighbouring municipalities: Burnaby (2% of cases, 5% of population), Tri-Cities (2% of cases, 5% of population), Surrey (4% of cases, 10% of population) and Richmond (2% of cases, 4% of population).
IMMUNIZATION RATES
New Westminster’s vaccination rates continue to inch upwards.
First-dose vaccination rates have largely stalled, with 86% of the eligible population aged 12+ having received at least one dose (the same as last week). For the 18+ age group, first-dose vaccination stands at 87%, a slight increase from last week’s 86%. And, for 50+, the first-dose rate stands at 88% (again, the same as last week).
Second-dose rates are still climbing, however: 76% for the 12+ age group (up from 73%), 77% for 18+ (up from 75%), and 83% for 50+ (up from 81%).
COVID-19 vaccines are still unavailable for people under the age of 12.
* Note: An earlier version of this story referenced 28 cases, as per a BCCDC graph. However, the updated BCCDC Local Health Area map is now out and shows 26 cases for New Westminster between Aug. 1 and 7. The story has been updated accordingly.
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