Influenza in Alberta: Cases continue to decline, 3 new deaths added
Three more Albertans died from influenza in a one-week period, according to the latest data from health officials, while newly reported cases decreased for the 10th week in a row since the peak in mid-November.
The total of 105 deaths makes the current flu season the second-highest of 14 flu seasons in the province. The 2014-15 season had the highest number of deaths, with 114.
The three people who died were adults, two of them seniors. One senior was aged 80-89, while the other was 90 years or older. The third person was between the ages of 50-59.
The Edmonton zone reported two deaths, while the Calgary zone reported one.
HOSPITALIZATIONS
This influenza season, 1,996 Albertans have required hospital care. There were 17 new admissions in the latest update.
This season has the second-highest number of hospitalizations in 14 seasons so far.
The Calgary zone has had the most patients requiring hospital care with 753, followed by the Edmonton zone’s 553.
Of the 17 new admissions between Jan. 22 and 28, 29 per cent were aged nine or younger. Forty-one per cent were aged 60 or older.
To date, 208 people have required intensive care, an increase of three since the last update. The majority of ICU patients have also been in the Calgary zone.
Two of the new ICU admissions are people 60 years or older, while the third person was between the ages of 30-39.
CASES
New cases of influenza dropped for the 10th week straight after Alberta reported 54 new infections on Thursday.
According to Alberta Health data, this season has the second-highest number of cases in 14 seasons, with a total of 8,697 infections so far. The 2017-18 flu season had the highest number of cases with 9,115.
The Calgary zone has had the highest number of influenza cases in the province, with a total of 2,935 so far.
The Edmonton zone has the second-highest number of cases in Alberta with 2,484.
The Central zone has had 1,042 cases; the North zone has reported 1,553 cases; while the South zone has counted 676. Seven cases have not been assigned a zone.
Influenza A has made up 99.3 per cent of this season’s laboratory-confirmed cases.
OUTBREAKS AND VACCINATIONS
There have been a total of 95 outbreaks in Alberta this season, an increase of two. Fifty-six per cent have been at supportive living and home living sites.
More than 1.2 million influenza vaccines have been administered since Oct. 17, translating to 27.2 per cent of Albertans being immunized. There are also 62,498 more people vaccinated compared to this time last year.
Of Albertans aged 65 or older, 63.4 per cent have been vaccinated for influenza, while 26.6 per cent of children between six months and four years have their vaccine.
Alberta updates its influenza data on Thursdays.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
BREAKING Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.