Someone has died of the flu in northern Alberta. Alberta Health Services recorded the death in the week leading up to November 24th, and it’s the first of the season in the region. AHS doesn’t disclose where the death occurred.
So far six people with lab-confirmed influenza have died in Alberta this winter, and the other five were all in Calgary. Ten people died of the flu in northern Alberta last season, out of 92 in all of Alberta.
Of the 427 people admitted to hospital with the virus across the province so far this season, 31 were in AHS’ North Zone. There have been 252 local cases of lab-confirmed influenza A, and none of influenza B so far.
Albertans six months and older can get a free flu shot at the Grande Prairie Public Health Centre in the provincial building on weekdays. Pharmacists can also immunize people five years and older. 74,719 doses of the flu vaccine have been given out in the north already.