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
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city, marking the first franchise in Canada
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.