We are already in the midst of a flu pandemic, according to the most recent FluWatch report, which verifies what experts have been warning may happen as an early surge in influenza cases sweeps throughout Canada.
“Influenza activity has above the seasonal threshold at the national level, signalling the beginning of an influenza pandemic. All surveillance indicators are rising, and the majority of them are over the seasonal averages, according to the study.
According to the most recent data from Canada’s national surveillance system, which monitors the spread of influenza and illnesses similar to it, the country had an influenza positive rate of 11.7% in the week ending Nov. 5, 2022, up from the reported rate of 6.3% in the two weeks prior, crossing the 5% positive threshold to enter flu epidemic territory.
In addition to those reporting cough and fever as symptoms, the proportion of hospital visits in Canada by patients with flu-like symptoms has risen beyond the seasonal norm. According to the FluWatch report for the week ending November 5, 2022, there were 78 occurrences of influenza-related hospitalizations.
Meanwhile, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) reports an increase in cases across most of the nation.
Many people are receiving treatment in corridors as emergency rooms and hospitals struggle with the massive surge of patients. In her appearance on CTV’s Your Morning last week, Dr. Rose Zacharias, president of the Ontario Medical Association, said that “this is the first year since the pandemic began that we’re headed into a normal flu season.”
We’re seeing that increased strain, and the emergency rooms and healthcare teams are still dealing with burnout, Zacharias continued. “Combined with the COVID-19 virus still circulating and RSV, which is another frequent children virus that occurs around this time of year.”
The recent increase in paediatric patients with viral illnesses has put a pressure on children’s hospitals in particular. According to the survey, children between the ages of two and four and 10 to 16 have been documented to have 50% of flu cases. There have been 133 paediatric influenza-related hospitalizations and 17 ICU admissions as of today (between August 28, 2022, and November 5, 2022).
As stated by the U.S. According to the CDC, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in children are often mild and occur before the age of two. However, it can sometimes have devastating consequences, resulting in breathing problems, dehydration, and other dangerous infections including bronchiolitis or pneumonia.
In Canada, the healthcare system is now having trouble locating drugs to treat respiratory diseases, which have been on the rise. The weekly respiratory virus report for the week ending November 5, 2022, indicates that the overall activity of various viruses is higher than anticipated levels. The study examines the amount of seasonal human coronavirus detections rather than the more recent pandemic coronaviruses.
The increase in flu cases is also placing a pressure on American hospitals.
The U.S. has seen an uptick in flu cases weeks earlier than typical. The U.S. last week According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 25 states, or roughly half the nation, reported high or very high levels of respiratory illness activity. Dr. Frank Belmonte of the Advocate Children’s Hospital in Chicago stated, “This is our March of 2020,” in an interview with ABC News. So, this is the pandemic’s start as seen through the eyes of children.