New COVID-19 infections continue to drop in Burnaby, as well as the province, which has led to health officials announcing the removal of more public health orders.
According to the latest Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Local Health Area of Case Residence, Burnaby recorded 71 cases from Feb. 27 to March 5, 2022.
Burnaby recorded 95 cases from Feb. 20 to 26, 2022.
Mask mandate ending tomorrow, vaccine card in April
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced today (March 10) that as of 12:01 a.m. on Friday (March 11), masks will no longer be mandatory under a public health order in all indoor public spaces.
The province also revealed it plans to axe vaccine cards as of April 8.
The B.C. vaccine card program had been slated to expire Jan. 31 but was instead extended that same month to June 30.
Henry had hinted in the past few weeks such requirements might be loosened after a review from health officials.
“Our approach has always been to only have the minimum necessary restrictions to keep people safe that prevent the transmission, particularly to those who are more susceptible to severe illness with COVID-19,” she said during a briefing Thursday.
Masks will still be required in health-care settings, physicians’ offices and patient contact areas.
But once students and staff return from spring break in their respective school districts, they will have the option of choosing whether or not to wear a mask.
The province is also doing away with capacity limits on faith gatherings and restrictions on overnight child and youth camps.
Long-term care visits will be restored March 18.
First dose COVID-19 vaccination rate in eligible Burnaby children aged 5-11 tied for highest in Fraser Health
Burnaby remains tied for the highest first dose vaccination rate in Fraser Health of eligible children aged 5-11.
According to the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) COVID-19 surveillance dashboard, 67% of those aged 5-11 and eligible have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine as of March 8, 2022.
The increase is only 1% from the previous update reported on March 1.
Burnaby now holds the highest rate for first doses in Fraser Health with New Westminster.
Percentages in Fraser Health as of March 8, 2022, are as follows:
- New Westminster - 67%
- Burnaby - 67%
- Delta - 64%
- Tri-Cities - 63%
- South Surrey/White Rock - 63%
- Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows - 54%
- Surrey - 52%
- Langley - 51%
- Chilliwack - 38%
- Abbotsford - 38%
- Agassiz/Harrison - 37%
- Mission - 36%
- Hope - 33%
How to get your child vaccinated in B.C.
In order to be vaccinated, five-to-11-year-olds must first be registered in B.C.'s Get Vaccinated system, after which time an invitation will be sent (by text or email) to book an appointment.
You can find all the information online at B.C.'s pediatric vaccine page, or call the central vaccination line at 1-833-838-2323.
- With files from Julie MacLellan, New West Record and Tyler Orton, Business In Vancouver
