There has been a marked increased of the influenza virus, but Epidemiologist Dr. Avery Hinds believes it may not be a fair comparison since testing was more focused on COVID-19 last year.
Speaking at the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 Update, he said influenza seems to be one of the more dominant ‘non COVID’ diagnoses coming through the laboratory, with the H3-N2 influenza strain mostly in circulation.
Dr. Hinds also provided an explanation as to why influenza cases are still popping up even outside of the typical season.
He believes the increased influenza cases provides an opportunity to remind those most at risk to get vaccinated and continue their proper safety protocols such as hand washing and sanitising.