New data released by the provincial government puts Surrey at the top of the list for COVID-19 cases – or does it?
Editor’s note: The B.C. CDC map splits up Vancouver into various health regions, which if not done, would see the city’s COVID-19 cases top the number in Surrey.
New data released by the provincial government has put the health region of Surrey at the top of the list for COVID-19 cases in Greater Vancouver.
With 1,814 cases in residents of the city during the pandemic – between January and September – the community remains the most affected by the disease, according to a B.C. Centre for Disease Control map.
Notably, each health region also varies in land area and population density.
Fraser Health spokesperson Dixon Tam said the map paints a picture of residents with the virus, not necessarily where COVID-19 transmission occurred.
When Vancouver Is Awesome asked Tam why Surrey COVID-19 cases are close to double that of the rest of Greater Vancouver regions, he attributed the increase to its “larger population.”
The city has a population of approximately 539, 651 residents, according to a 2019 Canadian population survey.
In comparison, the third-highest COVID-19 case totals in Abbotsford, 655 – happened amidst a community of around 147,043 residents (surveyed that same year).
The health authority also noted, “there are many large multi-generational households, which can also contribute to the transmission of COVID-19 and higher case numbers.”
COVID-19 outbreaks have also emerged within correctional and food-processing facilities in the area – topping up Surrey’s leading case count.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced Tuesday the presence of 10,734 COVID-19 cases in British Columbia.
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