CALGARY

Calgary sees 5 times as many cases of influenza B than reported last year

CTVNewsCalgary.ca

Carly Stagg CTVNewsCalgary.ca Digital Producer

Published Thursday, December 5, 2019 2:49PM MST Last Updated Thursday, December 5, 2019 6:16PM MST

Nearly 130 people have been hospitalized in Alberta this flu season with lab-confirmed cases of the virus. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Toby Talbot)

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CALGARY -- Influenza B is hitting Calgarians harder this season, with new numbers from Alberta Health Services reporting there has already been five times as many lab-confirmed cases than were reported in the city during last year's flu season.

Last season, Alberta recorded 143 cases of influenza B across the province. Just a few weeks into AHS's weekly flu season updates, the agency is reporting there have already been 307 cases — with half of those reported in the Calgary zone.

Last year, Calgary only saw 33 confirmed casses of the virus for the entire season.

The instances of lab-confirmed influenza A saw a spike in cases this week over last, from 277 to 361 with 84 new cases. It's the highest recorded jump this flu season.

The number of Albertans admitted to the hospital with lab-confirmed cases of the flu rose by 30 this week to 129, 14 of those reported in the Calgary zone. Ten additional cases were reported in Edmonton.

There have been no deaths linked to the flu in Alberta this season.

The holiday season is typically when the flu season ramps up as people travel and gather together more, increasing the possibility of spreading the flu virus further. AHS says the best way to avoid getting sick is to wash hands frequently and cover mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing. People who think they have the flu should stay home and rest to avoid spreading the virus.

Influenza immunization is currently available, free of charge, to all Albertans age six months and older.

There are four clinics available in Calgary, including: