According to a recent weekly report released by the BC Centers for Disease Control, 290 cases of the flu have been counted from 142,931 tests as of October 3, with a test result rate of 0.2 percent. More than half of these flu cases (163) were reported by Vancouver Coastal Health. The BCCDC says tests have been high this season compared to previous years, but virus detection remains low. Nationwide, Health Canada reports that only 551 cases of influenza have been identified between August 29 and March 12, which is significantly lower than in pre-pandemic times. In fact, on average, there are usually more than 38,000 cases of flu across the country at this time. Both the BCCDC and Health Canada report no evidence of influenza in the community this season. Last fall, health officials warned that the period of respiratory illness could be particularly severe, with flu immunity lower than normal. Some in the healthcare industry have even warned that there could be a “dilemma” of high flu and COVID-19 cases. The warnings came after BC saw an even milder flu season last year. Of the more than 75,000 tests, only 18 tested positive in the 2020-21 season. But those 18 tests were done on 11 people, which means that some people tested positive for more than one type of flu virus. Of these 11, only one person is believed to have been infected through close contact with an infected person and this case has been linked to travel abroad. With these warnings and in an effort to ease the pressure on the province’s healthcare system, all British Colombians were entitled to a free flu vaccine this season. Usually, there is a small cost to getting a flu vaccine, although there are a wide range of exceptions that are waived. The BCCDC estimates that the flu season begins in late September and ends on May 1.
