The most recent data from the BC Centre for Disease Control shows that Hope has had a recent uptick in COVID-19 cases.
But while the increase bucks the overall trend of declining cases across the province, it’s still a relatively small number. For June 23 to 29, only four local health areas saw an increase in positive cases: Hope, 100 Mile, Grand Forks and Kootenay Lake.
And for the week of June 27, Hope had a case rate of 10 per 100,000 people.
The week of July 2 to July 8 there were six new cases.
As of July 8, Hope also has the lowest rate of vaccination in the Fraser Health region at only 66 per cent. Delta has the highest rate at 85 per cent. Those numbers are based on first dose, for everyone ages 12 and up. Province-wide, 78.8 per cent of those 12 and up have had at least one vaccine.
Last week, Fraser Health made the Hope vaccination clinic available to walk ins, with a priority for those needing their first dose. Hope Mayor Peter Robb is hoping that everyone is aware you can just walk right in and get your vaccine now.
“I do encourage people to get their vaccine,” he said. “It’s just the right thing to do.”
In addition to increasing the community’s immunity, he said it will also help get us closer to seeing a re-opening of the borders. The federal government’s national goal is 75 per cent.
The Canadian border remains closed to foreigners, with a few exceptions, and will be until at least July 21.
READ MORE: After opening its borders to Canadian tourists, France wants Canada to do the same
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