Another south zone flu death brings total to four

By Medicine Hat News on February 15, 2020.

There has been another flu-related death in the south zone, bringing the total to four this season, according to the latest numbers released by Alberta Health Services.

The total number of laboratory-confirmed flu-related deaths for the province now stands at 25. The data covers the period from Aug. 25, 2019. In addition to the four deaths in the south zone, which is equal to that of the Calgary and Central zones, there have been 11 deaths in the Edmonton zone and two in the north zone.

Since the beginning of the year the number of influenza “B” cases diagnosed has consistently been higher than influenza “A” and that is unusual.

Here are the numbers for the last three years at this stage of the flu season.

Feb 13, 2020 Feb 14, 2019 Feb 22, 2018

Lab. confirmed influenza A and B 5,927 5,297 7,778

Lab. confirmed influenza A 2,911 5,243 5,263

South zone 209 318 389

Lab. confirmed influenza B 3,016 54 2,515

South zone 274 2 176

Hospitalized with influenza 1,081 1189 2,438

South zone 46 56 170

Deaths 25 28 69

South zone 4 1 3

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