Analysts contend that relaxing the public health regulations aimed at preventing the transmission of COVID-19, has resulted in an increase in cases of some other viruses.
Since the beginning of April, Canada has experienced a significant increase in influenza cases, which is unusual for the spring. Since the most recent FluWatch data from the Canadian Institute For Health Information (PHAC), 1,580 lab setting flu incidents were identified between May 22 and May 28.
Although the number of flu cases has decreased from a high of 2,121 for the week of May 8 to 14, the PHAC advises that the number of incidents “remains above the threshold of epidemic level.”
There was only one lab-confirmed flu case between May 23 and June 19 last year. Previous to the outbreak, 864 research lab cases were reported in May and June 2019; an average of 172.8 cases per week.
Dr. Lisa Salamon, an emergency room physician in Toronto, says she’s seen an increase in flu patients, particularly children.
“I’m witnessing a lot of children with influenza. Many children are visiting the emergency room with colds and flu, fevers, and illnesses that lingers for several days “On Tuesday, she told CTV’s Your Today.
In the most recent data, influenza-like illnesses accounted for 1.6 percent of hospital stays. This flu season, there have been 438 influenza-related admissions, with 225 of those being children under the age of 16. According to the PHAC, influenza-related hospitalizations among children “are above usual seasonal averages.”
Much of this trend, according to Salamon, may be traced back to the easing of mask requirements in classrooms and other interior locations between February and May.