The number of new weekly COVID-19 cases in New Westminster continued to drop during the most-recent reporting period, according to the BC Centre for Disease Control.
New West recorded 61 cases between May 16 and 22, down from the 75 cases from May 9 to 15, the 85 cases from May 2 to 9, and the 104 cases from April 25 to May 1, which is down from the 122 cases between April 18 and 24, and the 126 cases from April 11 to 17 and below the 151 new coronavirus cases from April 4 to 10.
New West saw 103 cases from March 28 to April 3.
New Westminster’s COVID case counts and testing positivity rates have the city sitting in the middle of the pack for the Metro Vancouver and Fraser Valley region.
Provincial health officer Bonnie Henry reported 250 new confirmed cases from Tuesday to Wednesday, and no new outbreaks in long-term or acute care facilities. Two outbreaks, at Chalmers Lodge Assisted Living and Terraces on 7th Assisted Living, have been declared over.
There are currently 296 British Columbians in hospital with COVID-19, 97 of whom are in intensive care. A total of 1,683 people have died from COVID-19 in B.C.
The total number of active cases in B.C. is 3,580. Of the 142,886 British Columbians infected since the pandemic began, 137,517 have recovered.
To date, 2,979,951 British Columbians have received their first dose of one of three vaccines. Only 152,010 have received their second dose.
There are still outbreaks in the following long-term care homes:
- Chartwell Carlton Care (Fraser Health)
- Cherington Place (Fraser Health)
- Heritage Manor (Northern Health)
- Spring Valley Care Centre (Interior Health)
There are two outbreaks in Lower Mainland hospitals: Lions Gate and Richmond Hospital.
On Tuesday, the B.C. government announced the first stage in a reopening and restart plan. Continued immunization will be key to the success of that plan, Henry said.
"As immunization is the foundation of our approach, it's crucial to our success that we all get registered and vaccinated," she said.
To register for vaccinations, visit the B.C. vaccine registry or call 1-833-838-2323.
- With files from Nelson Bennett, Glacier Media
