2024-01-10 00:26:20
The start of the new year isn’t just synonymous with good resolutions. It also means that virus season is in full swing.
Influenza, COVID-19 and various respiratory viruses have been on the rise in recent weeks. A child under the age of 4 died following complications following contracting the disease.
“We are in the season of respiratory viruses and most of us know people who have been or who will be sick, while our health system faces many challenges,” explains Dr. Yves Léger, medical officer of health. chief of New Brunswick.
Between December 10 and 30, nine people died from influenza while COVID-19 claimed the lives of 17 people.
“These are always sad situations when we have to deplore deaths. This is why we want to adopt additional measures to ensure that the general public protects themselves adequately and that people are aware of increases in cases.”
Over the coming weeks, the government intends to intensify its awareness campaign through social media to encourage people to get vaccinated.
The good news in all this is that the flu season is a lot like what we experienced before the pandemic.
The situation regarding COVID-19 seems to be stabilizing across the province, while the number of cases still fluctuates a lot in the case of influenza, specifies Dr. Léger.
He believes that in both cases, we should reach the peak shortly. The viruses should stay with us until April or May, before gradually fading away.
The deputy chief medical officer of health adds that the situation in New Brunswick is essentially the same as in the other Canadian provinces.
Respiratory viruses
Dr. Léger specifies that the rate of respiratory viruses has also been increasing in recent weeks, but is also tending to stabilize.
There has been a significant increase in the number of cases of streptococcus (group A) since the beginning of December.
In fact, the number of severe cases has doubled compared to recent years, going from around fifty to around a hundred. We are mainly talking regarding older people, but other age groups are also affected.
The doctor therefore encourages the population to protect themselves adequately to avoid contracting or spreading viruses.
“We know that viruses circulate more at this time of year. It is therefore important to use measures that we developed during the pandemic, such as vaccination,” he explains.
“Vaccines are not perfect. They help prevent infections and above all they serve to protect people once morest severe complications.
At this time, the percentage of people who have received a COVID-19 vaccine is slightly higher than in 2023.
On the other hand, only 25% of the population sought a vaccine to counter influenza, a lower number than last year.
“The numbers are not where we would like them to be. Over the coming weeks, we will be increasing our awareness campaign across the province through social media to encourage more people to get vaccinated and understand that respiratory virus season is upon us.”
He advocates caution and recommends that people avoid small places with lots of people.
He also strongly suggests staying home if showing symptoms and wearing a mask to protect others.
Regular washing tomorrow should also be part of people’s arsenal to protect themselves from viruses.
“We must change our usual behaviors and avoid coming to work if we are sick. This helps reduce the number of people you come into contact with and therefore reduces the chances of spreading the infection. It’s something very simple, but very effective.”
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