Influenza in Alberta: Cases continue to decline as seasonal deaths surpass 100 mark
In a one-week period, six more Albertans died from influenza, according to the latest data from health officials, while newly reported cases decreased for the ninth week in a row since the peak in mid-November.
The total of 102 deaths to date 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 six people who died were all seniors. Three were between the ages of 60-69, one was aged 70-79 years old, another was between the ages of 80-89, while one was 90 years or older.
The Calgary zone reported three deaths, while the Edmonton zone, North zone and South zone reported one each.
HOSPITALIZATIONS
This influenza season, 1,979 Albertans have required hospital care. There were 14 new admissions in the latest update.
To date, this season has the third-highest number of hospitalizations in 14 seasons.
The Calgary zone has had the most patients requiring hospital care with 749, followed by the Edmonton zone’s 546.
Of the 14 new admissions between Jan. 15 and 21, 11 per cent were aged nine or younger. Fifty-seven per cent were aged 60 or older.
To date, 205 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.
All three of the new ICU admissions this week are people 50 years or older.
CASES
New cases of influenza dropped for the ninth week straight after Alberta reported 58 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 8,643 infections so far. The 2017-18 flu season had the highest number of cases with 9,115.
The Calgary zone has the highest number of influenza cases in the province, with a total of 2,905 so far this season.
The Edmonton zone has the second-highest number of cases in Alberta with 2,461.
The Central zone has had 1,038 cases, the North zone has reported 1,545 cases, while the South zone has counted 671. Six cases have not been assigned a zone.
Influenza A has made up 99.4 per cent of this season’s laboratory-confirmed cases.
OUTBREAKS AND VACCINATIONS
There have been a total of 93 outbreaks in Alberta so far this season, an increase of one. 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 27.1 per cent of Albertans being immunized. There are also 61,601 more people vaccinated compared to this time last year.
Of Albertans aged 65 or older, 63.3 per cent have been vaccinated for influenza, while 26 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.