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COVID-19 positivity, case rates continue to soar in Burnaby as Omicron dominance speeds up

B.C. health officials struggling to contain rapid transmission
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COVID-19 cases are increasing in Burnaby and B.C.

The numbers aren't pretty. 

As Omicron continues to tightly grip B.C., case and positivity rates in all four of Burnaby's quadrants are once again surging, according to the BCCDC COVID-19 surveillance dashboard.  

From Dec. 28, 2021, to Jan. 3, 2022, both categories more than doubled in Burnaby compared to the last update. 

Rapid transmission is also being seen in long-term care facilities throughout Burnaby, with four currently under COVID-19 exposure declarations by Fraser Health. 

Yesterday (Jan. 5), Fraser Health announced an outbreak at George Derby Centre, the second in less than one month. 

The health authority said six cases were identified involving four residents and two staff members. 

George Derby Centre was subject to an outbreak on Nov. 8, 2021, when there were 10 confirmed cases. 

The outbreak included 24 cases involving 16 residents and eight staff members. One death was also recorded. 

In November of 2020, the centre endured a tragic outbreak with 36 lives lost among 109 confirmed infections. 

Two other Burnaby outbreaks were recently declared on New Year's Eve at New Vista Care Centre and Chartwell Carlton Gardens. 

New Vista Care Centre's initial outbreak announcement involved three staff members and one resident while Chartwell Carlton Gardens involved three staff members. 

Two days earlier, on Dec. 29, 2021, an outbreak was also declared at Burnaby's AgeCare Harmony Court after two confirmed cases were discovered involving one resident and one staff member.

The facility also went through a fatal outbreak that began on Nov. 19, 2020, and saw 116 cases involving 73 residents and 43 staff members. 

Of the 73 residents that were infected, 30 passed away. 

Case rates are new cases per 100,000 people by local health area and community health service area.

BURNABY NORTHWEST

  • Case rate: 92
  • Number of cases: 338
  • Positivity rate: 38%
  • Vaccination coverage (first dose) of those 12 years of age and older: 97%
  • Vaccination coverage (second dose) of those 12 years of age and older: 95%
  • Vaccination coverage (first dose) of those five to 11 years of age: 51%

BURNABY NORTHEAST

  • Case rate: 72
  • Number of cases: 257
  • Positivity rate: 35%
  • Vaccination coverage (first dose) of those 12 years of age and older: 97%
  • Vaccination coverage (second dose) of those 12 years of age and older: 95%
  • Vaccination coverage (first dose) of those five to 11 years of age: 50%

BURNABY SOUTHWEST

  • Case rate: 73
  • Number of cases: 466
  • Positivity rate: 33%
  • Vaccination coverage (first dose) of those 12 years of age and older: 95%
  • Vaccination coverage (second dose) of those 12 years of age and older: 93%
  • Vaccination coverage (first dose) of those five to 11 years of age: 42%

BURNABY SOUTHEAST

  • Case rate: 78
  • Number of cases: 357
  • Positivity rate: 31%
  • Vaccination coverage (first dose) of those 12 years of age and older: 93%
  • Vaccination coverage (second dose) of those 12 years of age and older: 91%
  • Vaccination coverage (first dose) of those five to 11 years of age: 38%