COVID-19 down, influenza and RSV up in B.C., says CDC
Posted November 18, 2023 10:45 am.
Last Updated November 18, 2023 10:47 am.
New data suggests COVID-19 activity in B.C. is trending downward, while influenza and RSV are on the rise.
A weekly update provided Thursday by the BC Centre for Disease Control says COVID-19 cases, new hospitalizations, and deaths are all declining from a peak in the first week of October.
It says there were 25 deaths of patients with COVID last week, down from 70 three weeks earlier.
But the number of people in hospital with COVID-19, including new and previous admissions, rose to 263 as of Thursday.
The CDC says Influenza A is behind a rise in flu activity, accounting for 96 per cent of tested cases this season, while positive test rates for respiratory syncytial virus are also up, particularly among children.
However, it says emergency department visits due to all respiratory diseases remain comparable to or below historical averages.
Though the agency says influenza activity across Canada has increased, it “overall remained low and below seasonal” levels.
Meanwhile, the CDC says “RSV activity is increasing and slightly above expected levels for this time of year.”
“The activity of all other non-SARS-CoV-2 and non-influenza respiratory viruses is low and at expected levels this time of year,” the agency continued.
“RSV test positivity continues to increase and is higher in children.”
On Nov. 10, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry noted COVID-19 cases had started leveling off after a spike in October. She said the province was leading the way in Canada when it came to vaccinations against the flu and COVID-19.
