×
Welcome To
Acadia Broadcasting NewsThe Latest and Greatest ContentYour Trusted Local Source

Newsroom

Bret Kavanaugh / Unsplash

COVID, influenza hospitalizations down in N.B.

By Brad Perry Feb 14, 2024 | 5:57 AM

New Brunswick continues to see a decrease in COVID-19 and influenza hospitalizations, according to Public Health data.

The latest Respiratory Watch report showed there were four deaths — two due to COVID and two due to influenza — between Jan. 28 and Feb. 3. All of the deaths involved people aged 65 and over.

Public Health reported six deaths the previous week, which included four COVID deaths and two influenza deaths.

There were 34 hospitalizations for both viruses during the most recent week, down from 48 the previous week, and the number of intensive care admissions climbed to five from one.

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

COVID activity

Public Health reported 22 hospitalizations due to COVID during the seven-day period, including five ICU admissions. That was compared to 36 hospitalizations and one ICU admission the previous week.

  • Age 0-4: One hospitalization, zero ICU admissions
  • Age 5-19: Zero hospitalizations and ICU admissions
  • Age 20-44: One hospitalization, one ICU admission
  • Age 45-64: Four hospitalizations, one ICU admission
  • Age 65+: 16 hospitalizations, three ICU admissions

There were 86 confirmed cases, compared to 83 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 eight lab-confirmed outbreaks were declared, including three in nursing homes. That was compared to 10 lab-confirmed outbreaks the previous week.

Influenza activity

Public Health reported 12 hospitalizations due to influenza during the same period, which was similar to the week before.

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

There were 102 confirmed cases of influenza, up from 68, and the test positivity rate increased to nine per cent from seven per cent.

Six new influenza-like illness outbreaks were reported in New Brunswick schools during that week compared to five the previous week.

linkedinpinterest