Dr. Lisa Barrett, an infectious disease specialist, is encouraging her patients to get vaccinated and tested as a prolonged flu season continues to spike cases in Nova Scotia.
“We’ve got lots of respiratory viruses,” Barrett told CTV News Atlantic’s Todd Battis during an interview Wednesday. “Flu seems to be on the way up in terms of cases.”
According to the Nova Scotia government’s Respiratory Watch, there were 368 flu cases from Feb. 9 to 15. There have been 1,388 total cases in the 2024-2025 season.
There have been 23 ICU admissions due to flu cases and eight flu-related deaths.
Nova Scotia has also had 3,649 COVID-19 cases and 1,480 RSV cases so far this season.
“People are finding this to be a difficult set of viruses to get through this season,” Barrett said. “We’re having a late flu season. It’s in the news more lately because it can still knock you on your backside.”
Barrett recommends people get vaccinated for the flu if they haven’t already and test for it if they are exhibiting symptoms.
“Keep a good eye on your respiratory hygiene,” she said.
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