The Fraser Valley (including Langley) has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in BC

Every week, the BC Centre for Disease Control releases an updated surveillance report for COVID-19 cases throughout the province. There is one set of maps that I have been paying close attention to:

Geographic Distribution of COVID-19 by Health Service Delivery Area of Case Residence. Select map to enlarge. Source: BC CDC

As you can see, Metro Vancouver is divided into five geographical sub-areas. Langley City is in “FS” or Fraser South. Our sub-area has the unfortunate distinction of having the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Metro Vancouver both in absolute numbers and as a rate per 100,000 population over the last 14 days.

We are right next to Abbotsford, Mission, and Chilliwack which are in “FE” or Fraser East. In the last 14 days, this part of the province had the highest confirmed case count in BC and the highest rate per 100,000 population.

I’ve been following the rolling trend for Fraser South and Fraser East, these Health Service Delivery Areas have seen some of the highest numbers over the last month.

This next table shows the percentage distribution of the population of BC and select COVID-19 statistics by age range.

Percentage distribution of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths by age, compared to the general population of BC, January 1 – August 6, 2020. Select table to enlarge. Source: BC CDC

What is interesting to observe is the relationship between age and COVID-19 cases. People between the age of 20 and 39 are overrepresented when it comes to COVID-19 cases.

While there have been confirmed outbreaks, I have to wonder if some people feel that because they are “healthy” and do not live in the more densely populated areas of the Lower Mainland, that they have a lower chance of coming in contact with other people who could transmit COVID-19.

No matter where you are in BC, we must all follow the same guidelines: Hand washing, distancing, masks, and bubbles. House parties, dinner parties, and games nights are high-risk activities no matter where you live.

I meet up with friends at parks, and we kept our distance. This is a lower risk way to visit friends.

I miss getting together with friends at their homes, but I also do not want to get COVID-19, spread it, or put an older person at risk of hospitalization or death.

I know there are some people that will continue to ignore the recommendations of the BC CDC, but I hope that this number will shrink. While the number of COVID-19 active cases has increased in the last month, the number of hospitalizations has remained stable. This number needs to remain stable.