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Alberta flu cases spike in mid-February

Alberta Health Services released an influenza update for the province on February 18, 2016, showing no new deaths, but a big increase in cases. Getty Images

CALGARY — Hundreds more Albertans are fighting the flu this week, according to new figures from Alberta Health Services. In its weekly influenza update, AHS reports the number of cases rose from 1,392 last week to 1,755 this week — for a jump of 363 cases.

In Edmonton, 717 people have contracted the flu, up from 594 last week. Calgary saw a slightly smaller increase, from 385 to 483 cases.

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A total of 92 people had to be admitted to hospital due to symptoms or complications of influenza.

There were no new flu-related deaths, but 10 people with influenza have died across the province this season; seven in Edmonton and three in Calgary.

Early in 2016, AHS urged Albertans to get immunized amidst news the province was in the early stages of “an influenza outbreak.”

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READ MORE: 2 children, 3 adults in Alberta die, prompting push for flu shots

More than one million Albertans have received the flu shot this season. Over 448,000 doses have been administered in the Calgary zone, compared to just over 363,000 in the Edmonton zone.

Click here to find out where you can get your flu shot.

With files from Sarah Offin and Heather Yourex-West

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