The number of new COVID-19 cases in the City of Delta has moved up slightly from last week.
According to the BC Centre for Disease Control’s latest community map, covering the period Sept. 19 to 25, Delta had 43 cases.
Only West Vancouver at 17 cases had a lower number in the Lower Mainland.
The latest numbers had Surrey at 344 cases, Langley at 199, Abbotsford at 228, Richmond at 68, Burnaby at 193 and Vancouver at 419 cases.
As far as the vaccination rate, Delta continues to lead the way in the Fraser Health Authority.
As of Sept. 28, the number of people 12-years-old and up in Delta who received a first dose stood at 93 per cent, while 87 per cent have received a second dose.
The current proof of vaccination requirements apply to programs at Delta recreation facilities, seniors’ centre programs and a number of businesses including private fitness facilities, licensed restaurants and cafes, pubs, lounges and bars. It also applies to indoor events with more than 50 people.
A Delta staff report to council this week notes staff will be responding as available to complaints or concerns regarding compliance of businesses with the new order, however, bylaw enforcement staff do not have the authority to issue tickets or fines when it comes to compliance with provincial health orders. That’s because those are under the jurisdiction of provincial and municipal police officers.
If necessary, enforcement action can be taken under Delta's Business Licence Bylaw which requires businesses to comply with relevant provincial and federal statutes.
To date, very few calls have been received related to businesses not complying with the proof of vaccination requirements, the report notes.
Meanwhile, several Delta schools are on the FHA’s website as having had recent COVID-19 exposures.
As of Friday, according to the health region, Delta Secondary had an exposure event Sept. 21 and 22, Sunshine Hills Elementary had an exposure Sept. 21, 22 and 23, Jarvis Elementary had an exposure event Sept. 20 and McCloskey Elementary had an exposure on Sept. 15, 17, 20 and 21.
The Delta Board of Education, at its first meeting of the new school year on Tuesday, got an enrollment update and was told the number of students enrolled in the district’s Home Quest program has increased significantly.
The board was told that there are typically between 80-to-90 students enrolled in Home Quest, but this school year that number is at 145 students as more parents opted to have their children learn at home.
