Flu kills 5 more New Brunswickers in one week, last year's seasonal total
CBC
The flu has killed five more New Brunswickers and hospitalized another 86, about 10 of whom require intensive care, the latest weekly figures released by Public Health show.
Fourteen people have died from the flu so far this season, compared to five all of last season.
A total of 218 people have been hospitalized, up from 92 last year.
No information about the individuals, such as their ages, are provided in the influenza surveillance reports. CBC News asked the Department of Health for an age breakdown on Friday but did not receive a response.
In B.C., six youth have died after contracting influenza — a child under the age of five, three children between the ages of five and nine and two teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19.
"Early findings indicate some of the children experienced secondary bacterial infections contributing to severe illness, which can be a complication of influenza," Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.'s provincial health officer said earlier this week.
Deaths have been rare in "previously healthy children," she said, and those most at risk include infants and toddlers, children with chronic medical conditions, those who need to take Aspirin or ASA for long periods of time and those who are obese.
Henry promised to provide weekly updates.
In New Brunswick, the Liberal Opposition has called for the government to hold a public update on the triple threat of the flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, in advance of holiday gatherings.
Rob McKee, leader of the Official Opposition and health critic, repeated the call in the legislature on Thursday. In response, Health Minister Bruce Fitch argued the Opposition was asking him to politically interfere and direct the office of the chief medical officer of health, which is independent from government, to hold a public briefing, after recently accusing the government of political interference.
"They can't have it both ways, Mr Speaker."
McKee countered that the province is at a "critical" point, with viruses "ripping through classrooms" and impacting its ability to deliver health-care services."
"So when will Public Health go public with a strategy to help reduce the spread of infections? And when will we see concrete recommendations, advice and safety protocols communicated to the public?"
Fitch maintained Dr. Yves Léger, the acting chief medical officer of health, is keeping the public informed by reviewing Department of Health responses to numerous media requests.
