"According to Health Canada, the country saw 27.7 per cent of tests come back positive for the week ending on Dec. 13. This is the highest value of positive tests recorded in the last three seasons, surpassing the 27.6 per cent positivity rate reported back in the week ending on Feb. 15. Public Health Ontario also saw a 33.8 per cent positivity rate in Ontario for the week ending on Dec. 13, which the public health agency categorized as very high."
"Bogoch said the rise in cases is likely because the H3N2 strain of Influenza A known for more severe infections is circulating the most. It's too soon to know how this season is going to shake out, he said. But I think when we're looking at the data in hindsight, there probably will be more hospitalizations related to the flu this year compared to a regular flu season."
The province will likely see the flu season peak over the holidays, with a higher-than-average severity expected. Health Canada reported 27.7% of tests positive nationally for the week ending Dec. 13, the highest in three seasons, while Public Health Ontario recorded 33.8% positivity and classified rates as very high. Children showed the highest positivity at 73.3%. Three children aged five to nine died from influenza complications in the Ottawa region in December. The H3N2 strain accounts for 71% of detected infections, is spreading widely, and is associated with increased hospitalizations, which rose from 2.1 to 3.6 per 100,000 in the most recent week. Immunization is urged.
Read at www.cbc.ca
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