New Brunswick saw a decrease in COVID-19 and influenza deaths during the second week of January, according to Public Health data.

The latest Respiratory Watch report showed there were five deaths — two due to COVID and three due to influenza — between Jan. 7 and 13. All of the deaths involved people aged 65 and over.

Public Health reported 14 deaths the previous week, which included eight COVID deaths and six influenza deaths.

There were 67 hospitalizations for both viruses during the most recent week, down from 118 the previous week, but the number of intensive care admissions increased to 10 from eight.

“Influenza activity decreased … COVID-19 activity remains moderate,” said the weekly report, released Tuesday.

COVID activity

Public Health reported 36 hospitalizations due to COVID during the seven-day period, including six ICU admissions. That was compared to 48 hospitalizations and five ICU admissions the previous week.

• Age 0-4: Three hospitalizations, zero ICU admissions
• Age 5-19: Zero hospitalizations and ICU admissions
• Age 20-44: Two hospitalizations, zero ICU admissions
• Age 45-64: Nine hospitalizations, two ICU admissions
• Age 65+: 22 hospitalizations, four ICU admissions

There were 89 confirmed cases, down from 142 the week before, and the test positivity rate fell to seven 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.

A total of 14 lab-confirmed outbreaks were declared, including eight in nursing homes.

Influenza activity

Public Health reported 31 hospitalizations due to influenza during the same period, including four ICU admissions. That was compared to 70 hospitalizations and three ICU admissions the previous week.

• Age 0-4: Three hospitalizations, zero ICU admissions
• Age 5-19: One hospitalization, zero ICU admissions
• Age 20-44: Three hospitalizations, one ICU admission
• Age 45-64: Seven hospitalizations, two ICU admission
• Age 65+: 17 hospitalizations, one ICU admission

There were 158 confirmed cases of influenza, down from 316, and the test positivity rate fell to 12 per cent from 21 per cent.

Two new influenza-like illness outbreaks were reported in New Brunswick schools during that week.