Respiratory illnesses are mounting across the province. (B.C. Government)

By Ian Holmes

sick season

Post-holiday respiratory illness surge takes effect

Jan 10, 2024 | 2:50 PM

NANAIMO — Increased cases of influenza and other respiratory conditions throughout the province are testing the healthcare system and have already contributed to multiple deaths.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry outlined during a Wednesday, Jan 10 media briefing that recent increases of a range of ailments are reflected in hospitalization data, led by the dominant H1N1 flu strain and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

“We will continue to see high rates of influenza and RSV for the next few weeks. I expect, if it follows the pattern we’ve seen before, that we may have a peak in the next week or so,” Dr. Henry said.

Following signs respiratory season was gaining steam late last year, Dr. Henry stated hospitalizations for numerous respiratory ailments took a notable jump after the recent holiday season, which she said is putting pressure on the health system.

“…Over 10,000 people in hospital this week and respiratory illnesses are absolutely driving some of these pressures, particularly young people in emergency departments.”

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Health minister Adrian Dix later confirmed the 10,435 patients in hospital as of Tuesday night is a provincial record.

Influenza, in some cases, has been fatal, with Dr. Henry telling the media briefing that three pediatric deaths have occurred so far this year.

“Influenza was one of the contributing factors and in all three of these young children, they had a secondary bacterial infection.”

While she said respiratory viruses can cause inflammation in the lungs, adding to the possibility of infections, Dr. Henry said the vast majority of children who get the flu can recover at home without medical intervention.

Three children in B.C. died due to flu-related complications in the final week of last year, according to the B.C. Centre for Disease Control.

Two dozen flu outbreaks in long-term care settings in the past two months in the province have been reported, with Dr. Henry reporting 13 of those outbreaks occurred in the last week of December.

Data is expected in the coming weeks on how effective the most recent COVID-19 booster shot and this season’s flu vaccine have been at combating the respective illnesses, Dr. Henry noted.

She reiterated it’s not too late to get a flu vaccination or the latest COVID-19 shot. People can get their free vaccinations for the flu and COVID-19 through the province’s Get Vaccinated web page.

Hospitalizations related to COVID-19 illnesses also recently shot up in B.C., with Dr. Henry stating 219 people were in hospital due to the virus as of last week, including 26 people in critical care.

Only about half of people 80 years old and up have had their updated COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Henry said, with that age cohort has been the source of increased COVID-related deaths in recent months.

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