National

Flu epidemic has begun as rates soar: PHAC

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 15 Nov, 2022 11:09 AM

The Public Health Agency of Canada says the national flu test positivity rate nearly doubled from the last week of October to the first week of November.

It says the week of Oct. 30 to Nov. 5 saw a test positivity rate of 11.7 per cent, compared to 6.3 per cent the previous week.

The agency's FluWatch report says Canada has now entered a flu epidemic, which is declared most years after the threshold of a 5 per cent positivity rate is surpassed.

But it says influenza levels are higher than would have been expected when compared to pre-pandemic years. COVID-19 restrictions drastically reduced the spread of the flu in 2020 and 2021.

The agency says there were 13 confirmed influenza outbreaks in the first week of the month, including nine in long-term care homes and one in a school or daycare.

The health-care system is dealing with a triple threat of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 and higher-than-normal levels of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus.

Photo courtesy of IStock.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Humanitarian claim blamed for Russian flight

Aeroflot Flight 111 entered Canadian airspace on Feb. 27 after the federal government had banned all Russian aircraft earlier that day in retaliation for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Humanitarian claim blamed for Russian flight

Canada urges WHO to approve Medicago vaccine

Fewer than two million doses were shipped out this year and Sajjan says more can go as soon as recipient countries indicate they're ready for them.

Canada urges WHO to approve Medicago vaccine

More sanctions coming against Russia: Joly

With further details on sanctions to come later this week, Joly told reporters Ottawa will do everything in its power to ensure Russia is isolated diplomatically, economically and politically, while providing Ukraine with weapons.

More sanctions coming against Russia: Joly

Feds must do more to combat racism, groups say

Fareed Khan, founder of Canadians United Against Hate, says the government needs to start by acknowledging that the country and its institutions were built upon Indigenous genocide, slavery and white supremacy.

Feds must do more to combat racism, groups say

Woman says she saw a man allegedly pulling down a young child's pants at a local business

According to the complainant, she was in a parent monitoring room of a local business when she observed a man allegedly pulling down a young child’s pants. The complainant viewed the incident through a television, which cycles through surveillance from various cameras located throughout the business.

Woman says she saw a man allegedly pulling down a young child's pants at a local business

VPD arrests suspect in Granville SkyTrain assault

VPD investigators now believe the victim and suspect had a brief verbal confrontation outside the station, and that the suspect followed the victim into the station, pushed him down a set of stairs, kicked him, and fled before police were called.