Alberta’s flu spike slowing but still an issue
By Medicine Hat News on December 22, 2022.
New provincial data shows the rate of influenza infection in Alberta is slowing, however case severity continues to be of concern, with influenza-related deaths nearly doubling in the past week alone. The province’s most recent influenza update reports a total of 7,109 lab-confirmed cases so far this season (as of Dec. 10), an increase of approximately 13 per cent from the previous report’s total of 6,288 (as of Dec. 3). While cases are still rising, the rate of growth has been slowing week-over-week since Nov. 12, when a growth rate of approximately 133.6 per cent was reported – the highest so far this season. Yet, health officials warn the declining growth rate doesn’t necessarily signal an end to influenza season – which lasts from roughly mid-October to mid-March each year. Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, has expressed fear over a potential resurgence of cases following the Holidays. And Tam joins provincial health officials in encouraging vaccination and good health measures to protect against the virus, seen to be abnormally severe and fast-spreading this season. Seniors continue to be the most severely affected age group, comprising the majority of hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths across Alberta. From Dec. 3-10, the number of influenza-related hospitalizations in Alberta rose from 1,124 to 1,413 – an increase of 289. ICU admissions rose from 112 to 140 – and increase of 28. Meanwhile, deaths nearly doubled from Dec. 3-10, rising from 24 to 45, with six South zone residents included in that number. AHS’s South zone continues to report the lowest number of lab-confirmed cases this season – 393 as of Dec. 10, up from 309 on Dec. 3. The zone is also reporting the lowest number of hospitalizations and ICU admissions so far this season, with hospitalizations totalling 106 on Dec. 10 – up from 81 on Dec. 3. And ICU admissions totalling 10 on Dec. 10 – up from seven. The province’s influenza immunization rate continues to rise, with a total of 1,122,786 shots having been administered as of Dec. 10 – up from 1,067,427 on Dec. 3. – covering approximately 25.2 per cent of the province’s population. In the South zone 72,623 immunizations have been administered – up from 68,849 – covering approximately 23.2 per cent of the region’s population. 13-12
