Eight more people in B.C. died from the H1N1 virus in the past week, including an eight-year-old, but the overall number of cases appears to be levelling off, the provincial health officer said Tuesday at a media briefing.
Dr. Perry Kendall said three of those who died lived in the Vancouver region; three lived on Vancouver Island; and two were from the Fraser Valley.
The victims ranged in age from eight to 80, and all had underlying health conditions.
In the past week, there were 202 new cases classified as severe.
Since the outbreak in April, 601 people have been hospitalized and 23 people have died.
Kendall said the number of H1N1-related deaths will still be significantly less than those who die from seasonal influenza. Anywhere from 200 to 800 people die each year from seasonal influenza, he said.
Peak hit?
Kendall said it was too early to say whether the province's second H1N1 wave has peaked.
But "we are seeing a flattening of the curve," Kendall said.
Kendall cautioned that a third wave is still possible, which is why people should still get vaccinated.
Vaccine eligibility
Kendall said eligibility for the vaccine should expand to more health-care workers this week.
As for when vaccinations will open up to the general public, Kendall said it's still too early to say.
Right now, vaccines are only available to pregnant women, those 65 and under with chronic health conditions, people living in remote communities, children between six months and five years, and critical health-care workers.
The next priority group will likely be children over five, Kendall said.
He said it is still his goal to have everyone who wants a vaccine to get the shot by Christmas time.
Poll results
Kendall cited the results of a new Angus Reid poll that shows 50 percent of the province is satisfied with how the government has responded to the pandemic.
Nationwide, only 36 percent of respondents said they were satisfied.
Kendall attributed B.C.'s higher satisfaction rate to the staged rollout of the vaccination program.
