US EditionRespiratory hospitalizations on the decline in Canada as flu spread slows
New flu cases dropped 44% to 8,206 and respiratory hospitalizations fell nearly 42%, with people over 65 remaining the most affected, Health Canada said.
- Health Canada reported national influenza surveillance for the week of Jan. 4 to Jan. 10 showing new influenza cases fell from 14,715 to 8,206.
- The season hit early, initially spreading mostly among children and linked to three deaths in the Ottawa area, with influenza test positivity reaching 4,336 the week of Christmas.
- Among respiratory virus tests, influenza test positivity was 18.1 per cent, with RSV at 3.6 per cent and COVID-19 at 5.5 per cent, and hospitalizations include cases of those viruses at lower rates.
- Hospital admissions fell sharply to 2,537 from 4,336 people as Alberta hospitals were overwhelmed, while people over the age of 65 remain most vulnerable to complications.
- Health Canada adds that hospitalizations dropped after the flu season hit a three-year high last month, and Nicole Thompson, The Canadian Press, first published this Jan. 16, 2026.
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Health Canada reports that hospitalizations for respiratory problems decreased from more than 4300 to about 2500 in the second week of January, after the flu season peaked in three years last month.
Respiratory hospitalizations on the decline in Canada as flu spread slows
Health Canada says respiratory hospitalizations fell from more than 4,300 to about 2,500 in the second week of January, after the flu season hit a three-year high last month. The latest national influenza data released Friday accounts for the period of Jan. 4 to Jan. 10 and shows the number of new flu cases is […]
Flu cases, hospitalizations continue to fall after 3-year peak over holiday
By Nicole Thompson The Canadian Press Posted January 16, 2026 5:53 pm 1 min read Descrease article font size Increase article font size Health Canada says respiratory hospitalizations fell from more than 4,300 to about 2,500 in the second week of January, after the flu season hit a three-year high last month. The latest national influenza data released Friday accounts for the period of Jan. 4 to Jan. 10 and…
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