What’s behind Alberta’s spike in flu numbers – CBC

If you thought May was too late for flu season, think again.

Alberta Health Services data shows influenza cases have spiked across the province in recent weeks, with more than 200 cases being recorded in Calgary alone.

And those numbers may just be the tip of the iceberg according to Dr. Eddy Lang, clinical department head for emergency medicine for the Calgary zone with AHS.

“There are many, many more people out there who probably do have the flu,” said Lang.

“They just haven’t tested for it.”

Lang said health professionals carrying out COVID tests have been surprised to see results come back positive for influenza, given the prevalence of the COVID virus now in the province.

He said it’s unusual to see so many influenza cases at this time of year, but not necessarily surprising, now that travel has picked up and people are in closer contact with each other.