Flu numbers in Canada remain high but trending down

Health Canada reported influenza test positivity peaked near 33% over the holidays and declined to about 27% by the week ending Jan. 3, with overall activity described as high but stable or decreasing.

Flu activity across Canada reached its highest test positivity in three seasons around the winter holidays and has since shown signs of leveling off. The national data covers the period from Dec. 14 to Jan. 3. Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada reported that indicators were high but either stable or decreasing by the week ending Jan. 3. Other respiratory viruses were also noted in recent data. Key points: - Health Canada reported influenza test positivity reached about 33% during the week of Christmas and fell to just over 27% the following week. - Officials described influenza activity as high but either stable or decreasing for the most recent week of data ending Jan. 3. - Health Canada said influenza A cases were predominantly the H3N2 strain, and reported rising test positivity for RSV (about 3.4%) and COVID-19 (about 5.3%). - Hospitalization rates reported in the update remained steady at about 12.4 patients per 100,000 population per week. Summary: The reported peak over the holidays represented the highest influenza test positivity in three seasons, and recent data indicate activity is high but showing signs of decline. Undetermined at this time.