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Tag: influenza

Topic: New BrunswickView all posts for the topic: New Brunswick

COVID-19 kills 3 more in N.B., new variant JN.1 appears poised to become dominant

Published January 30, 2024

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Published by: CBC News
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By Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon

COVID-19 has killed three more New Brunswickers and a new subvariant, JN.1, appears to be on its way to taking over as the dominant strain in the province.

COVID-19 activity remains “moderate,” according to Tuesday’s Respiratory Watch report. Most indicators remained “stable” throughout the reporting period, Jan. 14 to Jan. 20, it says.

The flu has killed two more people, but influenza activity decreased during the reporting week, with the number of new cases dropping back to historical averages, the report shows.

Continue readingCOVID-19 kills 3 more in N.B., new variant JN.1 appears poised to become dominant
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Topic: New BrunswickView all posts for the topic: New Brunswick

COVID-19 and flu kill 14 in N.B., 5 young children among more than 100 hospitalized

Published January 16, 2024

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Published by: CBC News
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By Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon

COVID-19 and the flu have killed at least 14 New Brunswickers in a week and hospitalized more than 100 people, including five children under four, the latest figures from the Department of Health show.

COVID-19 activity remains “moderate,” according to the Respiratory Watch report. “All indicators remained stable throughout the current reporting period,” Dec. 31 to Jan. 6.

Influenza activity remains “elevated,” it says.

Eight people died from COVID-19, up from six the previous week. They were all aged 65 or older.

Their deaths raise the pandemic death toll to at least 997. Only confirmed cases who die in hospital are counted.

Continue readingCOVID-19 and flu kill 14 in N.B., 5 young children among more than 100 hospitalized
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Topic: TorontoView all posts for the topic: Toronto

Toronto may be past its flu peak, but COVID-19 remains high, public health agency says

Published January 16, 2024

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Published by: CBC News
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By Lane Harrison

Toronto likely reached its influenza season peak in December, but according to Toronto Public Health’s latest respiratory illness update, COVID-19 infections are expected to remain high for now.

The percentage of positive influenza tests dropped to 6.6 per cent the week of Dec. 31 to Jan. 6, down from 15.6 per cent the week prior, Toronto Public Health (TPH) told the city’s Board of Health Monday. When it comes to COVID-19, positivity dropped only slightly to 17.6 per cent for the week of Dec. 31 to Jan. 6 from 18.6 per cent the week before.

But getting over the influenza peak doesn’t mean there aren’t still high levels of the illness in the city.

Continue readingToronto may be past its flu peak, but COVID-19 remains high, public health agency says
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Topic: QuebecView all posts for the topic: Quebec

La COVID-19 et la « tempête des virus respiratoires »

Published January 10, 2024

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Published by: Radio-Canada
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By Mélanie Meloche-Holubowski

SARS-CoV-2 may not be the only virus on the loose, but it is certainly one that continues to hit hard. The new data on COVID-19 and respiratory diseases from the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), published on Wednesday, tend to confirm this.

Everyone talks about the fact that they are constantly ill, that their family and friends are ill. Yes, it could be a cold or RSV [respiratory syncytial virus], but in many cases it’s probably COVID-19, says Dr Raywat Deonandan, epidemiologist and associate professor at the University of Ottawa.

According to the INSPQ, in the week of December&nbs;24, there were 983,000 cases of respiratory infections, a number that has continued to rise since mid-October.

Continue readingLa COVID-19 et la « tempête des virus respiratoires »
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Topic: New BrunswickView all posts for the topic: New Brunswick

N.B. adds 17 more COVID-19 deaths, child under 4 among first flu deaths, warning about strep

Published January 9, 2024

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Published by: CBC News
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By Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon

COVID-19 has killed 17 more New Brunswickers, including six over the holidays, while influenza has claimed nine lives. These are the first flu deaths of the season and they include a child under four, the latest data from the province shows.

Dr. Yves Léger, the province’s acting chief medical officer of health, held a rare meeting with reporters Tuesday because of the rise in respiratory illnesses.

Continue readingN.B. adds 17 more COVID-19 deaths, child under 4 among first flu deaths, warning about strep
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Topic: European UnionView all posts for the topic: European Union

Spain considers nationwide hospital mask rule, as flu, COVID hit Europe

Published January 8, 2024

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Published by: Reuters
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Spain’s government proposed a nationwide mandate for people to wear masks in hospitals and health clinics on Monday, and Italy said respiratory illness infection rates had hit a record, as flu and COVID spread across Europe.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control recommended that people on the continent stay home if they feel sick, and consider wearing masks in crowds or healthcare settings, with flu spreading as it typically does this time of year but hitting some countries harder than others.

Continue readingSpain considers nationwide hospital mask rule, as flu, COVID hit Europe
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Topic: CaliforniaView all posts for the topic: California

COVID-19 intensifies across California, with the worst likely still to come

Published January 6, 2024

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Published by: Los Angeles Times
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By Rong-Gong Lin II

The winter COVID-and-flu season is ramping up in California and nationwide, with doctors and other experts saying the worst of the respiratory illness season is still to come.

New data show pronounced recent jumps in the rate at which coronavirus and flu tests are coming back positive, as well as the number of hospital-admitted patients testing positive for the viruses. Workplaces are also seeing higher numbers of employees call in sick due to infections.

National wastewater data suggest this winter could see the highest number of coronavirus infections occurring during any given week since the first Omicron wave began in fall 2021.

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Topic: OntarioView all posts for the topic: Ontario

More than 260 Ontario long-term care residents died after getting COVID-19 in last four months

Published January 3, 2024

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Published by: CTV News
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By Katherine DeClerq

Respiratory virus outbreaks in Ontario’s long-term care homes remains dominated by COVID-19, with nearly 16,000 cases of the virus reported in the last four months.

According to a newly released report by Public Health Ontario, there have been 850 confirmed outbreaks in long-term care homes since Aug. 27, 2023.

This is compared to 32 influenza outbreaks and 32 Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) outbreaks.

Continue readingMore than 260 Ontario long-term care residents died after getting COVID-19 in last four months
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Topic: New YorkView all posts for the topic: New York

New York City public hospitals bring back mask mandates in certain areas

Published January 3, 2024

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Published by: ABC News
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By Mary Kekatos

Indoor mask requirements have been reinstated at all New York City public hospitals amid a rise in respiratory viruses including COVID-19 and flu.

The mandate extends to the 11 hospitals, 30 health centers and five long-term care facilities run by NYC Health + Hospitals.

The city’s health commissioner, Dr. Ashwin Vasan, said Wednesday masks will only be required in areas where patients are being treated, according to local ABC News affiliate ABC 7 NY.

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Topic: United StatesView all posts for the topic: United States

Respiratory virus activity is high and rising across the United States, CDC data shows

Published January 2, 2024

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Published by: CNN
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By Deidre McPhillips, Amanda Musa, Carma Hassan

As seasonal virus activity surges across the United States, experts stress the importance of preventive measures – such as masking and vaccination – and the value of treatment for those who do get sick.

Tens of thousands of people have been admitted to hospitals for respiratory illness each week this season. During the week ending December 23, there were more than 29,000 patients admitted with Covid-19, about 15,000 admitted with the flu and thousands more with respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Continue readingRespiratory virus activity is high and rising across the United States, CDC data shows
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Topic: OntarioView all posts for the topic: Ontario

More COVID infections now than during some pandemic points, wastewater data shows

Published January 2, 2024

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Published by: CBC News
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By Isha Bhargava

As COVID wastewater data hits significant highs in the Middlesex-London area, more cases of the virus and other respiratory infections can be expected in the new year, says the region’s top doctor.

The start of 2024 will be the midst of respiratory virus season, with continued COVID activity and an increase in influenza infections and other cold and cough viruses, said medical officer of health Dr. Alex Summers.

Continue readingMore COVID infections now than during some pandemic points, wastewater data shows
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Topic: United StatesView all posts for the topic: United States

Why hospitals in several states are reinstating mask requirements

Published January 1, 2024

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Published by: ABC News
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By Mary Kekatos

Some hospitals across the United States are reinstating indoor masking rules amid rising cases and hospitalizations of respiratory illnesses including COVID-19 and influenza.

Hospitals in at least six states — California, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Washington and Wisconsin — have put masking guidelines in place, according to an ABC News count.

Over the weekend, Mass General Brigham, which is the largest health system in Massachusetts, told ABC News it issued guidelines requiring employee caregivers and those working in patient care areas to wear masks.

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Topic: AlbertaView all posts for the topic: Alberta

An Alberta New Year’s Wish for a Working Public Health System

Published December 29, 2023

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Published by: The Tyee
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By Lisa Young

When approving the advertising campaign, the government’s revisions “included the removal of details about vaccine eligibility, immunization locations by age group and the types of vaccines being offered and their efficacy against different strains of COVID-19 and influenza. Two lines that encouraged Albertans to book vaccination appointments were also deleted.”

Continue readingAn Alberta New Year’s Wish for a Working Public Health System
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Topic: CaliforniaView all posts for the topic: California

Everyone in California seems to be sick with respiratory illness. Here’s why

Published December 27, 2023

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Published by: Los Angeles Times
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By Rong-Gong Lin II

Does it seem like a lot of people you know are sick?

You’re not alone. Respiratory illness season is in full swing in California and across much of the nation.

In Los Angeles County, about 23% of people participating in a weekly text-message-based survey reported having a cough or shortness of breath for the week that ended Dec. 10, higher than the total reported during a late summer peak in respiratory illnesses, when 21% said they had those symptoms. Early summer brought a lull, with only 10% of survey respondents saying they had a cough or shortness of breath.

Continue readingEveryone in California seems to be sick with respiratory illness. Here’s why
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Topic: QuebecView all posts for the topic: Quebec

Débordements dans des salles d’urgence d’une majorité de régions du Québec

Published December 27, 2023

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Published by: Le Devoir / The Canadian Press
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By Jean-Philippe Denoncourt

The fall in occupancy rates in Quebec’s emergency rooms that began on 19 December ended on Tuesday.

The Index Santé website noted that this average rate had risen to 95% on 26 December, before jumping to 112% on Wednesday morning, shortly before 6 a.m., which was considered very high.

Continue readingDébordements dans des salles d’urgence d’une majorité de régions du Québec
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Topic: Hamilton RegionView all posts for the topic: Hamilton Region

HHS closes urgent care for two days amid staff shortages, congestion at hospitals

Published December 21, 2023

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Published by: The Hamilton Spectator
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By Joanna Frketich

Staffing shortages will close a Hamilton urgent care centre for two days at the same time city emergency departments are becoming increasingly congested with flu, COVID-19 and RSV patients.

With just 13 per cent of Hamiltonians getting a COVID shot in the past six months, local hospitals are bracing for the viral surge to continue climbing over the holidays.

Continue readingHHS closes urgent care for two days amid staff shortages, congestion at hospitals
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Topic: NunavutView all posts for the topic: Nunavut

Be cautious as trio of illnesses circulate in communities, Nunavummiut warned

Published December 20, 2023

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Published by: Nunatsiaq News
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By Kierstin Williams

With winter increasing the spread of three illnesses across the territory, Nunavut’s chief public health officer is urging people to take steps to protect themselves.

There are 75 confirmed cases of flu; 16 cases of RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus; and 12 cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut, Dr. Sean Wachtel said Tuesday.

But the actual number of people sickened is probably higher than that, he said.

Continue readingBe cautious as trio of illnesses circulate in communities, Nunavummiut warned
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