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15 more Albertans die from influenza within one week, reports AHS

Jan 19, 2018 | 12:51 PM

 

MEDICINE HAT, AB — In the past week, 15 more Albertans have died from influenza, according to the most recent report from Alberta Health Services.

The weekly report states 46 people across the province have died from the virus since the season started in October.

The majority of deaths are in Calgary and Edmonton, with 20 and 13 deaths, respectively. The South Zone, which includes Medicine Hat and Lethbridge, has only recorded two deaths from influenza this season. Eight people have died in the Central Zone, while three have died in the North Zone.

Since October, 4,637 cases of Influenza A and 1,683 cases of Influenza B have been reported, and more than 1,800 people have been hospitalized across Alberta, with 135 of those in the South Zone.

Dr. Lizette Elumir, Medical Officer of Health for the South Zone, says, despite the high numbers, the worst of the season appears to be over.

“We have been reaching sort of a peak, so we did see a lot of influenza activity in the province and the South Zone,” she said over the phone from Lethbridge.

“We are hoping that this is our peak, and that we’re going to start seeing some slowing down, that’s our hope.”

Despite the initial reports of a peak, Elumir says Alberta Health Services is still reminding people to take precautions, such as hand washing and vaccination, to avoid spreading the virus.

“Even if it’s slowing, we still want people as protected as possible,” she said. “There’s still circulating influenza at this moment.”

The province has administered more than 1.1 million doses of influenza vaccine since October.