Global National: Dec. 4

In Canada, the U.S. and the U.K., cases of the flu are higher than they’ve been in decades. But is our immunity compromised, is it a lack of vaccines or a combination of both? And in the U.S., there’s been a major surge in cases and hospitalizations for the flu and COVID-19 after the Thanksgiving holiday. Hospitals across the country are struggling to keep up as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has tracked about 9-million cases of the flu and 4,500 deaths. Plus, record-high inflation is hitting many Canadians hard. It’s especially making a difference at a time of the year when people spend — and give — money. We look at how many families will juggle rising costs with the expenses of the holiday season.