Influenza in the province has bypassed COVID-19 in both cases and deaths in November.

That is according to the province’s latest Community Respiratory Illness Surveillance Program (CRISP) report for November 5 to 18.

Over that period, there were 1099 influenza cases and five deaths, more than five times more cases than there were for the previous reporting period of October 22 to November 4, where just 208 cases were reported.

Hospitalizations also increased significantly, from 90 to 263, with 38 people in the ICU, up from eight.

For COVID-19, four more people died, with a total of 922 cases reported, slightly more than the 838 reported in the previous reporting period.

The number of hospitalizations decreased from 266 to 237, with the number of people in the ICU also creasing slightly from 21 to 19.

The four deaths, two of which occurred in the 20 to 59 age group, raised the province’s total of 2,022 since March 2020.

Looking at the vaccination status for both viruses, of those aged six months and older, 14.7% have received a COVID-19 vaccine on or after September 18.

For those under age 65 years, all the zones except Saskatoon (11.0%) and Regina (11.2%) have less than 10% coverage.

For those 65 years and older, Far North West (28.0%), Far North Central (10.4%), Far North East (35.1%), North West (37.7%), and South East (38.8%) have less than 40%
coverage.

All other zones have above 40% but less than 50% coverage.

For influenza, of those aged six months and older, 14.7% have received a COVID-19 vaccine on or after September 18.

For those under age 65 years, all the zones except Saskatoon (11.0%) and Regina (11.2%) have less than 10% coverage. For those 65 years and older, Far North West (28.0%), Far North Central (10.4%), Far North East (35.1%), North West (37.7%), and South East (38.8%) have less than 40% coverage.

All other zones have above 40% but less than 50% coverage.