Twenty extra Albertans have died from the flu up to now two weeks, based on the newest information launched by the province.
Via December 31, 2022, 77 Albertans’ deaths have been attributed to the flu. That quantity is approaching double the last decade’s common.
Within the two weeks for the reason that final publicly launched information report, there have been 183 extra flu hospitalizations and 10 new ICU admissions. And there have been 654 extra laboratory-confirmed instances.
Influenza A (H3N2) stays the dominant subtype.
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This season there have been 1,812 hospitalizations, 180 ICU admissions and eight,335 instances.
Provincial ICU capability, together with surge beds, was at 87 % on January 6.
Laboratory-confirmed instances have declined since Nov. 20, however pre-pandemic flu seasons usually noticed a resurgence in instances — a second wave.
Between 2009 and 2020, Alberta noticed a mean of 1,483 hospitalizations, 161 ICU admissions and 41 deaths in a flu season.
The 2017-18 season marked a high-water mark for hospitalizations up to now decade at 3,047, and the 2014-15 season had 114 deaths.
The share of Albertans vaccinated in opposition to the flu rose to 26.9 per cent, a quantity the Alberta Medical Affiliation known as “nonetheless too low.”
“Our clever seniors get the purpose (and the shot): 65.5 % of these over 65 are immunized in opposition to the flu,” the AMA posted on social media.
“We’re very involved that solely 23.7 % of kids between six months and 4 years have been vaccinated.”
Albertans aged 20 to 24 had the bottom flu vaccine uptake at simply 11.2 per cent, with 25 to 29-year-olds second lowest at 13.3 per cent. This age group has not been untouched by flu, with 67 hospitalized and 9 admitted to the ICU within the season that started in September 2022.
Vaccines could be booked on-line by calling Well being Hyperlink at 811 or by calling your native pharmacy.
Current traits proven on the College of Calgary’s Middle for Well being Informatics wastewater testing portal confirmed flu ranges lowering in cities like Edmonton, Calgary, Crimson Deer, Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray, however growing in cities like Lethbridge, Brooks and Drugs Hat.
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