Alberta health ministers are optimistic about the respiratory virus season, despite the virulence of the flu.
The general picture of respiratory viruses is encouraging
says the province’s Minister of Primary Health, Adriana LaGrange
She mentions, among other things, that the number of hospitalizations linked to COVID-19 is a fraction of what we have seen in the past
and that respiratory syncytial virus hospitalizations are also down, compared to last year.
However, even if the province recognizes it, the flu represents a challenge. Adriana LaGrange explains that the strain [d’influenza] is particularly virulent and the proposed vaccine did not correspond to this strain
This year.
It can be difficult to predict which strain will be most prevalent, Alberta’s new chief medical health officer says. Vivien Suttorp.
Currently, H3N2 is the common strain and historically young people, the elderly and people living with chronic illnesses are very affected by this strain.
she said.
As of July 18, there were approximately 650 patients in hospital due to influenza
says Matt Jones, Minister of Hospital Care.
To ensure that you have the capacity [de réponse suffisante] An additional 336 hospital beds have been designated for respiratory viruses, with 206 available year-round and 130 during peak season.
The number of weekly cases reached 2,314 in the week ending December 7, the highest number in the past 15 years, while 1,778 cases were confirmed in the week ending October 25, 2009.
Failing communication around vaccines
Craig Jenneprofessor in the department of microbiology, immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Calgary, believes that the vaccination campaign has been faulty.
It says the province could reach its lowest flu vaccination rate. This would be the third consecutive year where we have reached the lowest vaccination rate
he adds.
According to him, this low vaccination rate could be due to confusion surrounding the vaccine, where it is available, the price, making an appointment
.
Brian Wirzbapresident of the Alberta Medical Association, agrees. However, he believes that the government’s message has been clearer in recent days.
Flu season is tough. So, if the figures of VRS and COVID-19 were high, I don’t know if we could get through it. We are fortunate that these numbers remain low.
The doctor has high hopes for the presence of a new chief medical officer of health. I hope that [cette nomination] will make it go better next year
he said.
