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
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.