Flu levels expected to lower in the coming weeks, says P.E.I.'s chief public health officer
CBC
There may be some relief in sight this flu season — though it may not feel like it right now.
Influenza numbers have "dramatically" increased since Christmas, according to P.E.I.'s chief public health officer, Heather Morrison.
"We are either at the peak, or have just passed the peak," she told CBC News. "So I think we'll start to see the number of influenza cases decrease over the next few weeks."
So far this flu season, P.E.I. has seen 61 hospitalizations. Nineteen of those happened just last week.
Morrison said when it comes to cases of COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rates have been fairly low and stable. RSV rates in particular are lower than in previous years.
However, Morrison said based on trends across the country, she does expect RSV rates to rise in the next few weeks while flu cases should lower.
Morrison said there is a common factor when it comes to hospitalizations for flu cases so far this year.
"Two thirds of the people who have ended up in hospital to date have not had their influenza vaccine," she said.
"So the influenza vaccine is not perfect, and it doesn't protect everyone from getting influenza, but it does reduce your chances of ending up in hospital."
Morrison said the largest demographic of people who are ending up in hospital for influenza are young children and seniors.
Luke Mackay, owner and pharmacist at Wally's Pharmasave in Cornwall, said he saw an increase of people coming in for cough and cold medicine over the holidays.
"We've had quite a few people come in with influenza A, seems to be the big one this year."
Mackay said it has also been a very busy year for flu shots.
"That's a good thing... We're using it efficiently and getting it out there to the people that need it."
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