Respiratory virus trends continue to shift, with influenza hospitalizations and ICU admissions increasing while COVID-19 and RSV cases decline, according to the latest community respiratory illness surveillance program (CRISP) report.
Southeast region trends
In the southeast region, which includes Estevan and Weyburn, COVID-19 test positivity remains at zero, while influenza test positivity is higher than the provincial average at 20 per cent. RSV test positivity sits at 12.3 per cent.
Respiratory-like illness visits to emergency departments in the southeast were recorded at 88 per 1,000 people, while school illness absenteeism was 14.1 per cent. Wastewater data indicates low levels of COVID-19 activity in the region.
Vaccination rates in the southeast show that 5.2 per cent of people under 65 and 35.4 per cent of those 65 and older have received a COVID-19 vaccine. Influenza vaccine uptake is higher, with 12.8 per cent of those under 65 and 50 per cent of those 65 and older vaccinated.
Provincial trends
Influenza test positivity remains high at 17.7 per cent, with influenza A being the dominant strain. Hospitalizations and ICU admissions due to influenza have nearly doubled over the reporting period, and two influenza-related deaths were recorded.
RSV cases are gradually declining, with test positivity dropping to 11.2 per cent. Nearly half of the cases were in children under five years old.
COVID-19 test positivity has decreased to 2.2 per cent, with case numbers dropping from 69 to 49. Most cases were among individuals aged 65 and older. Wastewater data indicates low levels of COVID-19 activity in most cities, with one reporting medium-high levels. The most common COVID-19 variant detected in recent weeks was XEC and its sublineages.
Calls to HealthLine 811 have declined by five per cent. There were 21 respiratory virus outbreaks in high-risk settings such as long-term care facilities, with RSV and influenza responsible for most cases.
While COVID-19 and RSV hospitalizations have decreased, the rise in influenza cases and severe outcomes highlights the ongoing need for monitoring and preventive measures.