Eight new flu-related deaths were reported in Alberta over the past two weeks and new numbers show Calgary continues to be the hardest-hit part of the province this flu season.
New figures release by Alberta Health Services (AHS) on Thursday show the number of Albertans who have died this season who also had lab-confirmed influenza has risen to 13.
Eight of the deaths have been in the Calgary Zone, three in the Edmonton Zone and two in the South Zone. There have now been more than double the number of lab-confirmed flu cases than there were two weeks ago.
READ MORE: Near-fatal bout with H1N1 spurs Edmonton teacher to promote flu shot
Watch below: On Oct. 24, 2016, Beginning Monday, Su-Ling Goh filed this report about influenza in Alberta and one person’s nearly fatal bout with H1N1.
According to AHS, the province has now seen 1,984 lab-confirmed case of influenza A and 494 bouts of influenza B. Nearly half of the influenza A cases have been reported in Calgary (921) and the lion’s share of influenza B cases were also reported in the province’s most populous city (321).
On Friday, an AHS spokesperson said that while 2,478 cases of influenza have been confirmed in labs this season, compared to 774 at about the same time last year, “influenza hits at different times in the season, each season… this is why it is not accurate to suggest a direct comparison until each season is over, as every season is different.”
“We do know that with influenza already circulating, getting immunized now is very important,” Bruce Conway said in an email to Global News, before commenting on the number of flu-related deaths so far this season.
“Thirteen individuals hospitalized with lab-confirmed influenza have passed away this season… this is tragic, and we want to do everything we can to prevent additional Albertan deaths.
“Please, get immunized, not only for yourself, but for your fellow Albertans.”
READ MORE: Why are 60 per cent of the Alberta flu cases in Calgary?
In total, 632 Albertans who have been admitted to hospital this flu season have been diagnosed with influenza.
Well over a million Albertans have now gone to receive their free influenza vaccine (1,097,060). On Friday, a spokesperson for AHS said the number of vaccinations was up slightly after the same number of days into the program last season, but still “far from our target of 35 per cent of Albertans.”
Anyone aged six months and older can get immunized free of charge.
For more information on immunization clinics and schedules, click here.
This year, AHS is not offering the FluMist nasal spray.
Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization no longer recommends the spray for children between two and 17 years old. The committee concluded that FluMist and injectable vaccines are equally safe and effective for children.
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