Share this Story: Another flu death in Saskatchewan
Another flu death in Saskatchewan
Pamela Cowan • Regina Leader-Post
Mar 17, 2016 • June 2, 2020 • 2 minute read • Join the conversation
A patient receive a flu shot. Photo by BRYAN SCHLOSSER /Regina Leader-Post
While flu activity is stabilizing overall in Saskatchewan, the province's chief medical health officer expects there will be more admissions to intensive care units and flu-related deaths over the coming weeks.
Influenza has claimed another life, bringing the total number of known flu-related deaths to four in the province.
Another flu death in Saskatchewan Back to video
The number of Saskatchewan residents admitted to ICUs also increased. Two people with severe cases of influenza were admitted to ICUs during the week of March 6-12 — for a total of 28 since Sept. 1.
It's primarily seniors and adults in the 20-to 64-year-old category who are being hospitalized because of severe influenza symptoms, said Dr. Saqib Shahab.
The late start to the flu season likely means it will end late — toward the middle of April, he said.
In 2013-14, there were 56 ICU admissions and 15 deaths due to influenza. Last year, there were 26 ICU admissions and nine reported deaths due to influenza.
There have been 1,807 lab-confirmed influenza cases in the province since Sept. 1.
The numbers are an estimate because not all people seek medical care and are tested for influenza, and not all those who died with influenza-like illness were tested.
"We've crossed the peak of Influenza A season, but we are seeing a bit more of the Influenza B activity," Shahab said.
Influenza B is usually less severe than Influenza A, but it causes similar symptoms.
While the flu season might have peaked in the Regina Qu'Appelle and Sun Country health regions, there is significant influenza activity in southwest Saskatchewan and Saskatoon, Shahab said.
Many communities are still reporting outbreaks in schools and long-term care facilities.
Shahab noted the free flu vaccine is available until the end of March.
There are no more drop-in flu clinics in Regina. To book an appointment or for more information, call your local public health office or check at participating pharmacies to see if flu shots are still available.
Saskatoon Health Region deputy medical health officer, Dr. Simon Kapaj, said 90,000 people in the region have been vaccinated, roughly the same number as last year.
Only 64 per cent of health-care workers were vaccinated — down from 94 per cent rate last year when it was mandatory for them, he said.
"We always want to do better," he said.
As of March 12, 52.3 per cent of employees in the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region had received their flu shot.
Kapaj encouraged everyone to get vaccinated.
"We are still seeing cases of influenza in the community. We expect it to continue for a few more weeks," Kapaj said.
To prevent spreading the flu, it's important to cough in your sleeve, wash your hands and stay at home when sick.
Protection for everyone is important, but particularly the elderly, the very young or those with chronic disease or immune conditions.
— with files from Jason Warick, StarPhoenix
pcowan@postmedia.com