New Brunswick saw a decline in COVID-19 and influenza hospitalizations in mid-February, according to Public Health.
The latest Respiratory Watch report showed 24 hospitalizations between Feb. 11 and 17, compared to 42 the previous week.
There were two admissions to an intensive care unit during the same period, down from five a week before.
Public Health reported two deaths involving COVID during the most recent week, including one person between the ages of 45 and 64, and another in the 65 and over age group.
“Influenza activity remained stable … COVID-19 activity remains moderate,” said the weekly report, released Tuesday.
COVID activity
Public Health reported 17 hospitalizations due to COVID during the seven-day period, including two ICU admissions. That was compared to 31 hospitalizations and four ICU admissions the previous week.
- Age 0-4: Zero hospitalizations and ICU admissions
- Age 5-19: One hospitalization, zero ICU admissions
- Age 20-44: One hospitalization, zero ICU admissions
- Age 45-64: Two hospitalizations, zero ICU admissions
- Age 65+: 13 hospitalizations, two ICU admissions
There were 76 confirmed cases, compared to 79 the week before, and the test positivity rate climbed to seven per cent from six per cent.
However, the actual number of new cases is likely much higher as PCR tests are only available when requested by a primary care provider.
A total of six lab-confirmed outbreaks were declared, including one in a nursing home. That was compared to two lab-confirmed outbreaks the previous week.
Influenza activity
Public Health reported seven hospitalizations and zero ICU admissions due to influenza during the same period, compared to 11 hospitalizations and one ICU admission the week before.
- Age 0-4: Zero hospitalizations and ICU admissions
- Age 5-19: Three hospitalizations, zero ICU admissions
- Age 20-44: Two hospitalizations, zero ICU admissions
- Age 45-64: Zero hospitalizations and ICU admissions
- Age 65+: Two hospitalizations, zero ICU admissions
There were 85 confirmed cases of influenza, down from 93, and the test positivity rate remained unchanged at eight per cent.
Two new influenza-like illness outbreaks were reported in New Brunswick schools during that week. There were also two lab-confirmed influenza outbreaks in other facilities.
