The province is launching an awareness campaign to encourage Albertans suffering from “moderate” flu symptoms to visit the Edmonton Flu Care Clinic.
The flu assessment clinic opened at the former Woodcroft Public Health Centre last Friday to take pressure off emergency departments; however, as of Wednesday only 165 patients had passed through the doors.
“165 people being seen at the Flu Care Clinic means that 165 people did not have to go our emergency department,” said Chris Sikora, Edmonton Zone Medical Officer of Health.
Still, Dr. Sikora said he would like to see an increase in clinic use; Alberta Health has now launched a marketing campaign.
“We’re reaching out to our media partners to increase awareness that this is an alternative, this is a place where people can go, be quickly assessed and if appropriate, be prescribed anti-viral therapy and get the treatment that they need,” said Dr. Sikora.
The Edmonton Flu Care Clinic is open 7 days a week between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.
A closing date for the clinic has not been determined.
According to health officials, the peak of flu season is still around the corner; the number of flu cases continues to rise.
The latest statistics show as of January 15, more than 2,200 cases of influenza had been confirmed this flu season, an increase of more than 600 from the previous week.
Two more flu-related fatalities had also been reported in the Calgary area; the provincial death toll now stands at 10.
WIth files from Susan Amerongen
