Influenza cases continue to rise in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia reported673 new cases of influenza for the reporting period between Nov. 27 and Dec. 3.

This is up from the 524 cases of influenzainthe previous reporting period from Nov. 20 to Nov. 26.

In the latestreport, the province said 94 people were hospitalized, including 10 people who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). The province also reported three deaths.

To date for the 2022-23 fluseason, there have been 1,653laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza.

There have also been 251 hospitalizations, with 17 ICU admissions and 15 deaths.

CBC News asked for clarification on the number of deaths, noting theeight deaths reported last week and the three deaths reported this week total 11, not 15.Aspokesperson for the Health Department said Friday a lag in reporting may have caused thediscrepancy.

The deaths include people who tested positive for influenza, but influenza may not have been a major contributing cause of death or hospitalization.