The COVID-19 testing positivity rate at UBC has decreased since its record high last week, according to new data released by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
Forty-five per cent of tests produced positive results between February 1 and 7, down 11 per cent since the previous week. Meanwhile, there were a total of 21 new cases in this time frame, roughly 17 cases per 100,000 UBC community service area residents.
These numbers represent a decrease in cases in the area around UBC, although it must be noted that the area had a higher per-capita case rate than neighbouring areas such as Dunbar or Kitsilano.
However, there are several caveats limiting this data.
BCCDC data only includes the results of publicly-funded PCR tests, which are only available to unvaccinated or immunocompromised individuals, as well as those working in high-risk settings. Thus, there were only 46 tests conducted on UBC area residents in the past week. The true number of cases may be higher.
Furthermore, this data does not include students that commute to campus, who are instead counted within their own health region.
Meanwhile, the BCCDC is reporting a 100 per cent vaccination rate among UBC area residents aged 12+, although a disclaimer was included indicating that this number includes out-of-town students that were vaccinated in the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) region. It is not intended to be representative of the vaccination rate among UBC students and staff.
The report also indicated that 58 per cent of residents aged 12+ in the Vancouver-Westside region — which encompasses UBC and all other neighbourhoods west of Arbutus Street — have received booster doses against COVID-19. Eighty-five per cent of residents in the UBC community service area aged 70+ have received their third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 testing remains limited on UBC campus.
There is no PCR testing on campus for fully-vaccinated students with non-severe symptoms. The university is currently offering rapid tests to symptomatic individuals outside the AMS Nest until 6 p.m. as long as supplies last. Individuals need a UBC card to access these tests.
With classes returning in-person, the AMS has been distributing 10-packs of KN95 masks to students inside the Nest. The booth is located just below the main staircase during school days, although mask supply may be limited. The university has purchased over one million medical masks, but has released little information about distribution.