The Agassiz-Harrison local health authority has seen nearly 20 people test positive for COVID-19 in one week, the highest number recorded for the area.
Between Jan. 3 and Jan. 9, 19 people received positive COVID-19 tests in the Agassiz, Harrison area. The data shows the area has among the highest positivity rates in the province, with nearly one in every 500 people testing positive for the virus during that week.
According to the 2016 Census — the most recent census data available — the local health authority has a population of 9,705 people. Nearly a quarter of those people are 65 and older.
The area goes as far north as the Samahquam First Nation, and includes Agassiz, Harrison Hot Springs, Sts’ailes, Seabird Island and the Shxw’ow’hamel First Nation.
Over the course of 2020, the local health area saw a total of 95 cases hit the communities, with most of those cases coming in the final two months of the year. November saw 40 new cases, while December saw 29.
RELATED: Agassiz, Harrison see 95 COVID-19 cases since start of pandemic
The positive test numbers for the first nine days of January have reached nearly the same amount as the entire month of December.
| Map of positive COVID-19 cases for Jan. 3 to 9 by local health area. (BCCDC) |
The local health authority was one of 14 in the province to have an average daily rate of two or more per every 10,000 people for Jan. 3 to 9. Other areas in this bracket include 100 Mile (29 new cases in one week), which is currently seeing a significant outbreak at the Canim Lake Band, and the South Okanagan (43 new cases in one week).
Close by, Abbotsford and Surrey have also breached the two in 10,000 mark, as they have for at least the last five weeks.
RELATED: Abbotsford second in Fraser Health for total COVID-19 cases in 2020
The data for the week of Jan. 3 to 9 is the most recent available from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control. Weekly local health area numbers are released each Wednesday, although this past week it was released on Friday (Jan. 15) at 6:40 p.m. due to incomplete data.
The case numbers for Jan. 10 to 17 are set to be released on Wednesday, Jan. 20.
Individuals are asked to get tested as soon as they have COVID-19-like symptoms, even mild ones.
The nearest testing sites for Agassiz and Harrison residents are in Chilliwack (9090 Newman Road), Hope (1275 7th Avenue) and Mission (7324 Hurd Street).
All sites accept adults and children over three months. Walk-ins are available on a first-come first-serve basis, but appointments are preferred.
COVID-19 testing appointments can be booked online through the Fraser Health website.Those needing help booking appointments can call the central intake number: 604-587-3936.
For more information about COVID-19, visit fraserhealth.ca/covid19.
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