Long lineups as people rush to get tested for COVID-19 amid a surge in cases have prompted Burnaby RCMP to issue a warning to drivers.
A tweet from the local RCMP account says drivers should avoid the local testing site that is located behind the BCIT campus.
“Drivers, please avoid the area of Willingdon Ave & Canada Way if you can,” says the tweet. “Due to the COVID-19 Testing Clinic, traffic is getting backed up. If you’re just passing through, you might want to pass through an alternate route.”
New data shows Burnaby is feeling the effects of the record COVID-19 cases in B.C.
According to the BC Centre for Disease Control's (BCCDC) latest data update, case and positivity rates nearly doubled in each of Burnaby's four quadrants from Dec. 13 to 19, 2021.
Why are Burnaby RCMP harassing people waiting in the long line @ BCIT COVID testing site? A friend was parked in line, texting to update family. Police pulled her out of the line + gave her a ticket, making her go to the back of the long line. @GlobalBC @CTVVancouver
— Kamala Jasmine Todd (@KamJasTodd) December 22, 2021
Case rates are new cases per 100,000 people by local health area and community health service area.
BURNABY NORTHWEST
- Case rate: 13
- Number of cases: 49
- Positivity rate: 6%
- Vaccination coverage (first dose) of those 12 years of age and older: 96%
- Vaccination coverage (second dose) of those 12 years of age and older: 94%
- Vaccination coverage (first dose) of those five to 11 years of age: 41%
BURNABY NORTHEAST
- Case rate: 12
- Number of cases: 41
- Positivity rate: 7%
- 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: 41%
BURNABY SOUTHWEST
- Case rate: 11
- Number of cases: 72
- Positivity rate: 7%
- 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: 33%
BURNABY SOUTHEAST
- Case rate: 10
- Number of cases: 46
- Positivity rate: 6%
- 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: 30%
- With additional reporting by Jess Balzer
