Island Health says there been a big increase in people having to go to hospital because of flu.
And Vancouver Coastal Health says there are more cases than average on the Sunshine Coast too.
Dr. Reka Gustavson is with VCH.
Dr Paul Hasselback, the Medical Health Officer for the Mid Island says H3N2 seems to be mainly hitting older people.
Hasselback says most people are still getting some protection from the vaccine, even though it’s not perfectly matched to the strain of H3N2 they’re seeing.
Health authorities are asking people to stay home if they have flu symptoms, and avoid visiting people at residential care facilities or those with compromised immune systems. Island Health is reporting outbreaks at Malispina Gardens and Nanaimo Seniors Village, and VCH says there’s one at Sechelt’s Totem Lodge.
The Island Health active outbreak list is here. VCH’s is here.
