New Brunswick saw a drop in COVID-19 hospital admissions but a rise in deaths during the most recent reporting period.

The latest Respiratory Watch report showed 63 hospitalizations between Nov. 19 and 25, with three people admitted to an intensive care unit.

That was compared to 71 hospitalizations and three ICU admissions reported during the previous week.

Most of the patients — 45 of them — were aged 65 and over. There were also 12 people aged 45 to 64 and six people aged 20 to 44.

The ICU admissions involved one person aged 65 and over and two people aged 45 to 64, according to the weekly report.

Four more patients with COVID died in the hospital during that week, compared to two the previous week. All four were aged 65 and over.

There were 153 new COVID cases reported — down from 161 the previous week — and the test positivity rate remained stable at 15 per cent.

However, the actual number of new cases is likely much higher as PCR tests are only available when requested by a primary care provider.

In addition, there were 12 lab-confirmed COVID outbreaks reported, including two in nursing homes, compared to 15 outbreaks the week before.

Reported flu cases spike

Meanwhile, New Brunswick is also reporting an increase in the number of people with influenza.

Public Health said there were 51 cases reported between Nov. 19 and 25, accounting for just over half of the 99 cases so far this season.

Eight people were admitted to the hospital, including three to an intensive care unit. That was compared to four hospitalizations and two ICU admissions the previous week.

The hospitalizations included five people aged 65 and over, two people aged 45 to 64, and one person aged 20 to 44.

Public Health said one new influenza-like illness school outbreak was reported during that week, down from four the previous week.