Flu update: Cases rise by 1,500 over course of a week
By Medicine Hat News on December 8, 2022.
The province’s latest report on influenza shows cases continue to rise, albeit at a slower rate than previous weeks, with 5,163 lab-confirmed cases reported on Nov. 26, compared to 3,648 on Nov. 19. Influenza continues to comprise the majority of cases, with Influenza B comprising the remainder. Seniors aged 60-79 years old have now become the most severely affected age group, comprising the majority of hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths reported. However, youth also face severe outcomes at a disproportionately higher rate than adults aged 20-59. The number of influenza-related hospitalizations and ICU admissions provincially also continues to rise. As of Nov. 26 818 Albertans are in hospital with influenza, 80 of whom are in ICU. That is compared to 550 hospitalized on Nov. 19, and 52 in ICU. While the number of Albertans who have died from influenza has risen over the past week, it is also at a somewhat slower rate than previous weeks. As of Nov. 26, the province is reporting a total of 16 deaths, compared to 12 last week – a number which doubled from the week prior. Two South zone residents are among those who have died from influenza. The South zone continues to report the lowest number of lab-confirmed cases in the province, but is comparable or equal to the Central in terms of hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths. From Nov. 19-26, South zone lab-confirmed cases increased from 117 to 217, hospitalizations from 24 to 61, ICU admissions from two to seven, and deaths from one to two. This is compared to the Central zone’s Nov. 26 report of 517 lab-confirmed cases, 66 hospitalizations, seven ICU admissions and two deaths. Influenza immunizations across the province now surpass 1 million, with 1,000,448 doses administered as of Nov. 26, compared to 911,529 on Nov. 19. Approximately 22.5 per cent of the province’s population has received a seasonal flu shot. In the South zone, 64,753 doses have been administered, which is approximately 20.7 per cent of the region’s population. 12-11
