Flu activity is rising across the country, and several regions now report high positivity rates. Health Canada, which released its most recent national data on Friday, says the upward trend is expected to continue for several weeks. The data was reported by journalist Hannah Alberga of The Canadian Press.
British Columbia, Alberta, Prince Edward Island and Yukon are among the regions where flu activity is considered high. Prince Edward Island has the highest levels in the country, with a positivity rate ranging between 26.1 and 39.5 per cent. Nationally, the flu positivity rate stands at 13.7 per cent, a level described as moderate. The national level therefore remains well below that seen in some provinces, where the virus is circulating more intensely.
During the first week of November, more than 4,200 flu cases were detected in Canada. This weekly tally illustrates how quickly the virus is spreading at the start of the winter season. Adults aged 65 and older are the most affected by the illness, a population particularly exposed to serious complications from influenza, which makes this group a priority target for vaccination campaigns.
Other respiratory viruses tracked by the federal agency are evolving differently. COVID-19 activity is gradually increasing but remains low and stable nationwide. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity, meanwhile, remains very low. This situation places the flu at the centre of health concerns for this time of year, while other respiratory infections are not, for now, showing a comparable increase.
These data are being published as the flu season takes hold in the country. Health Canada continues to monitor the situation across provinces and territories, and upcoming reports will show whether the increase is confirmed in the most affected regions. For public health authorities, the evolution of positivity rates in the coming weeks will be decisive in assessing the scale of the season.
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