COVID kills two more New Brunswickers, flu cases spiking

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Two more New Brunswickers aged 65 or older died of COVID-19 between Nov. 12-18, according to new data from the province, and hospitalizations spiked.

The data show that 71 people were in hospital with COVID during that time, and five required intensive care. That’s a big jump from the week before, where 44 people were hospitalized, and three required ICU treatment.

According to the province, however, “COVID-19 activity remains moderate,” and “most indicators remained stable throughout the current reporting period.”

There were 15 lab-confirmed COVID outbreaks between Nov. 12-18, including four in nursing homes. That’s four more outbreaks than the week before.

There were 26 confirmed flu cases between Nov. 12-18, which is slightly more than half the cases for the season to date. Four people required hospital treatment, and two needed intensive care.

There were four outbreaks of “influenza-like illnesses” in schools between Nov. 12-18, according to the province.

One in every 20 New Brunswickers has COVID: experts

About one in every 20 New Brunswickers currently has COVID-19, according to a new national forecast.

Dr. Tara Moriarty, an associate professor at the University of Toronto, is a cofounder of the Canadian COVID-19 Hazard Index. It publishes a weekly COVID forecast that draws data from several sources to produce an overall score for each province.

Data points include current infections and spread, health-care system impact, and mortality rates. Within those data points are several sub-categories.

According to the latest data, the COVID situation across the country is “severe.” Nationally, one in every 18 Canadians has the virus.

New Brunswick’s number is the highest in Atlantic Canada. In Newfoundland and Labrador, one in every 22 people is currently infected, followed by Prince Edward Island (one in every 27) and Nova Scotia (one in every 37).