Influenza hospitalizations continue to mount in Alberta

Hundreds of Albertans continue to be hospitalized with the flu, and this season’s flu death toll has doubled in the past week.

Data released by the province on Thursday showed another 289 Albertans were hospitalized with the flu in the week ending Dec. 10, and another 28 in ICU. There have been 1,413 hospitalizations and 140 people in ICU this flu season, which began in late August.

And 23 more deaths from flu have now been added, bringing the total to 45.

Laboratory-confirmed cases also rose by 821 to 7,109. Influenza A (H3N2) is still the dominant strain.

Hospitalizations and deaths in the 2022-23 flu season to date have met or surpassed recent historical totals. In 2018-19 there were 1,391 hospitalizations and 30 deaths. The 2019-20 flu season had 39 deaths and 1,534 hospitalizations.

The 2017-18 season marked a decade high for hospitalizations and deaths at 3,047 and 92, respectively.

On Wednesday, Canada’s chief public health official said flu continues to “trend well above expected levels for this time of year.”

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Alberta’s health minister says the current flu peak may have passed, and is bracing for more waves in the new year

“Most concerning is the increase in flu-related hospitalizations,” said Dr. Theresa Tam said.

In the past week, the youngest Albertans and older Albertans saw the most hospitalizations, but no age group was spared. For example, 35 children aged one to four years old were admitted to the hospital in the past week and three went to ICU for the flu. Fifty-five Albertans in their 60s and 57 septuagenarians were hospitalized for the flu this week.

The past week’s deaths have all been of people over 50, with six in their 60s, eight in their 70s and four in their 80s dying of the flu.

“Our health care systems continue to be challenged this time of year by the added burden of all respiratory viruses,” Tam said. “The impact, especially on children’s hospitals, has already been overwhelming in many parts of the country.”

More than 53,000 Albertans rolled up their sleeves for flu shots this week, bringing total population coverage to 25.2 per cent. The number of doses administered in Alberta decreased for the third week in a row.

The number of people vaccinated is currently among Alberta’s best flu vaccination coverage in the past decade. In the 2014-15 and 2018-19 flu seasons, 31 per cent of Albertans got their flu shot.

Alberta’s acting chief medical officer of health, Dr. Mark Joffe, shared his thoughts on a “very challenging respiratory virus season” on social media on Tuesday.

“Data suggests we may have passed a peak in flu, but it’s too early to say for sure. That said, it will remain a busy winter,” the CMOH wrote.

He advised people to stay home when they are sick, cover coughs and sneezes and wash their hands.

“Choose to stay current on all your vaccinations and talk to a doctor or other care provider if you have questions. Vaccines are available, safe and free,” Joffe wrote. “Getting vaccinated can mean the difference between a few days sick at home, weeks in a hospital or even worse.

“Avoid or limit time in crowded indoor spaces. Wearing a well-fitting, high-quality mask can help reduce the risk of exposure.”

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