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

The latest Respiratory Watch report showed 51 hospitalizations between Nov. 26 and Dec. 2, with seven people admitted to an intensive care unit.

That was compared to 63 hospitalizations and three ICU admissions reported during the previous week.

Most of the patients — 43 of them — were aged 65 and over. There were also five people aged 45 to 64, one person aged 20 to 44, and two people under the age of 20.

The ICU admissions all involved people aged 65 and over, according to the weekly report.

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

There were 138 new COVID cases reported — down from 153 the previous week — and the test positivity rate dropped to 13 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 13 lab-confirmed COVID outbreaks reported, including three in nursing homes, compared to 12 outbreaks the week before.

Reported flu cases spike

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

Public Health said there were 83 cases reported between Nov. 26 and Dec. 2, up from 51 cases the week before. There have been 182 cases so far this season.

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

The hospitalizations included 10 people aged 65 and over, one person aged 45 to 64, one person aged 20 to 44, and three people under the age of 20.

The ICU admissions involved one person aged 65 and over and one person between the ages of five and 19.

Public Health said three new influenza-like illness school outbreaks were reported during the week, up from one the previous week.