By CHAT News Today

Flu numbers show Alberta and Saskatchewan have been hit hard

Feb 22, 2018 | 4:12 PM

MEDICINE HAT – The latest flu numbers are out and it seems the virus has hammered Alberta this season.

Flu cases are up more than 70 per cent from last year’s total, with 7,778 lab confirmed cases.

There are 5,263 cases of influenza ‘A’, around 38 per cent more than last year. 2,515 cases are influenza ‘B’ an increase of 258 per cent.

Hospitalizations are up 47 per cent with 2,438 people admitted to hospital with the flu.

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Across the province there have been 69 flu related deaths, up slightly from the 64 in the 2016-2017 flu season.

Of all the zones in the province, the South Zone, which includes Medicine Hat and Lethbridge, has seen the fewest cases of the flu. Calgary has seen the highest numbers.

Alberta Health Services said the peak of the flu season is likely over, but those who are sick as still urged to stay home and stop the spread of the virus.

In Saskatchewan more than 1,000 new lab-confirmed cases of influenza were reported in January alone, bringing the total number to 2,422 since September.

The previous flu season saw only 1,900 cases between September and April.

Health authorities in Saskatchewan said the province has seen a change in the strain of the virus, with the ‘B’ strain becoming more prevalent.