Flu cases, deaths increase in Alberta
Alberta Health Services is now reporting 10 deaths and 2,220 confirmed cases of flu in the province as of Jan. 15.
Two of the deaths were in Edmonton; one is in the southern zone of AHS and the remaining seven are in Calgary.
The new numbers represent a jump of 600 cases over last week’s numbers. Most of the cases this year are the H1N1 strain.
The province is about half way through flu season but there are no plans to reopen mass vaccination clinics, according to Dr. Chris Sikora, chief medical officer of health for the Edmonton Zone.
“We still have that small stockpile supply that is designated for children who do require that second dose as well as for management in our influenza outbreak situations,” he said.
Sikora adds emergency room visits because of flu are also increasing.
He urges people in Edmonton to go to the Woodcroft Flu Care Clinic at 13221 115 Avenue which is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Alberta influenza data: as of Jan. 14
| Alberta total | North Zone | Edmonton Zone | Central Zone | Calgary Zone | South Zone | |
| Doses of vaccine | 1,090,732 | 93,493 | 308,296 | 88,808 | 345,714 | 72,582 |
| Confirmed flu cases | 2,220 | 336 | 802 | 357 | 606 | 119 |
| People in hospital for flu | 442 | 27 | 139 | 35 | 216 | 25 |
| People in ICU for flu | 49 | 1 | 24 | 4 | 18 | 2 |
| Number of deaths due to flu | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 |