As flu cases spike in B.C. doctor urges public to mask up and get vaccinated
Influenza cases are soaring across Canada, according to the latest national FluWatch – and Metro Vancouver is no exception, with the region seeing an above average case count for this time of year.
According to the report released Friday, B.C. is one of the hardest hit regions in the country.
The report finds that between Nov. 20 and Nov. 26, 8,226 laboratory detections were reported nationally, compared to the 5,891 reported in the previous week, which is an increase of nearly 40 per cent. The spike in cases comes as the health-care system, particularly children's hospitals and emergency rooms, in already under serious strain.
The groups experiencing more serious outcomes from influenza were children under the age of five and adults over the age of 65, according to the report.
Vancouver-based family physician Dr. Anna Wolak said flu season started earlier this year than it typically has in the past, and the surge is showing no sign of slowing down.
“What’s really alarming now is that the rate of positive infections is climbing really quite rapidly. It’s quite steep at the moment,” she said, adding that this trend can be seen both locally and globally.
"As a physician, as a parent, it makes me quite nervous, really quite scared that this is going to overwhelm the healthcare system.
“And it's our little ones that are going to bear the brunt of it. We need to look at this again like we did in March 2020,” she continued.
BC Children's Hospital said the bulk of visits to its emergency department recently have been for viral illness including the flu, RSV and COVID-19. In recent weeks, wait times at that ED have been as long as 12 hours.
On Saturday morning, a "code orange" was briefly called at the hospital and health officials didn't say why.
While it was cancelled less than 30 minutes later, the emergency code is typically reserved for natural disasters and mass casualty events.
In a statement to CTV News, Sarah Bell, the Chief Operating Officer of BC Children's Hospital said the “Emergency Department at BC Children’s Hospital is experiencing high volumes and high acuity. ED wait times widely fluctuate across all acute care sites and this can be due to a multitude of factors."
As the holiday season brings larger groups of people together, Wolak urges the public to mask up when they’re indoors and get their flu shot.
She thinks not nearly enough people are getting vaccinated, which she says helps reduce both the severity of symptoms and the rate of hospitalization.
On Monday, B.C. health officials will be holding a news that will address " protecting children during influenza season." Health Minister Adrian Dix, Dr. Bonnnie Henry, and Dr. Penny Ballem are scheduled to speak at 11:30 a.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday in the hush money trial of former U.S. president Donald Trump, prepared to testify about a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.