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COVID, influenza hospitalizations down in N.B.

By Brad Perry Jan 31, 2024 | 6:13 AM

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

The latest Respiratory Watch report showed there were five deaths — three due to COVID and two due to influenza — between Jan. 14 and 20. All of the deaths involved people aged 65 and over.

Public Health also reported five deaths the previous week, which included two COVID deaths and three influenza deaths.

There were 53 hospitalizations for both viruses during the most recent week, down from 67 the previous week, and the number of intensive care admissions dropped to five from 10.

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

COVID activity

Public Health reported 31 hospitalizations due to COVID during the seven-day period, including three ICU admissions. That was compared to 36 hospitalizations and six ICU admissions the previous week.

  • Age 0-4: One hospitalization, zero ICU admissions
  • Age 5-19: Zero hospitalizations and ICU admissions
  • Age 20-44: Four hospitalizations, zero ICU admissions
  • Age 45-64: Six hospitalizations, three ICU admissions
  • Age 65+: 20 hospitalizations, zero ICU admissions

There were 82 confirmed cases, down from 89 the week before, and the test positivity rate remained stable at 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 three lab-confirmed outbreaks were declared, including one in nursing homes.

Influenza activity

Public Health reported 22 hospitalizations due to influenza during the same period, including two ICU admissions. That was compared to 31 hospitalizations and four ICU admissions the previous week.

  • Age 0-4: One hospitalization, zero ICU admissions
  • Age 5-19: Zero hospitalizations and ICU admissions
  • Age 20-44: Two hospitalizations, zero ICU admissions
  • Age 45-64: Five hospitalizations, zero ICU admissions
  • Age 65+: 14 hospitalizations, two ICU admissions

There were 94 confirmed cases of influenza, down from 158, and the test positivity rate fell to eight per cent from 12 per cent.

One new influenza-like illness outbreak was reported in New Brunswick schools during that week.

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