Severity of rising influenza continues to be of concern

By Medicine Hat News on December 29, 2022.

The province’s most recent influenza report shows cases are rising, albeit at a slower rate, though severity continues to be an issue.

The report shows lab-confirmed influenza cases have increased by approximately 8 per cent between Dec. 10 and Dec. 17, jumping from 7,109 to 7,681.

While the rate of growth continues to decline week-over-week, federal health officials have predicated another spike in cases following the Holiday Season. They continuing to advise Canadians to follow good health practices – especially those most at risk of severe outcomes.

In Alberta, seniors continue to be most severely affected, comprising the majority of the province’s hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths, though children ages 10 and under are also disproportionately affected.

Hospitalizations, ICU admissions and deaths also continue to rise, with hospitalizations increasing from 1,413 on Dec. 10 to 1,629 on Dec. 17, ICU admissions from 140 to 170 and deaths from 45 to 57.

Of the province’s five health zones, the South continues to report the lowest seasonal total of lab-confirmed influenza cases, with 497 cases reported as of Dec. 17, up from 393 on Dec. 10.

The South zone is also reporting the lowest numbers of hospitalizations and ICU admissions so far this season, with hospitalizations totalling 497 on Dec. 17 – up from 393 on Dec. 10, and ICU admissions totalling 14 on Dec. 17 – up from 10 on Dec. 10.

The South zone previously reported the lowest number of influenza-related deaths, but as of Dec. 17 surpasses both the Central and North zones, with nine deaths total.

Immunization rates also continue to rise, but at a slower rate, with the provincial rate increasing by 0.9 per cent between Dec. 10 and Dec. 17, jumping from 25.2 per cent (1,067,427 immunizations) to 26.1 per cent (1,163,876 immunizations).

During the same time period, the South zone’s immunization rate increased 1 per cent, from 23.2 (72,623 immunizations) to 24.2 (75,638 immunizations).

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