The current respiratory disease season resembles the seasons that prevailed before the COVID-19 pandemic, but influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases have increased in recent weeks in Canada. This is the case, for example, in British Columbia, as reported by the province's Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry.

Henry expects infections to peak in the coming days.

"COVID-19 is still part of the situation, but cases remain relatively stable despite a noticeable slight increase after the holiday period," Henry added yesterday at her first press conference of the current year.

According to health authorities in British Columbia, more than 80% of the province's population have been infected with the virus at one time or another.

Also, according to the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), a public institution, 219 people infected with "Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2" (SARS-CoV-2) causing COVID-19 are currently receiving treatment in the province's hospitals.

Dr. Henry reminded that "vaccination remains an important tool to avoid severe forms of respiratory diseases," and "to reduce their impact on the healthcare system," said British Columbia's Minister of Health, Adrian Dix.

"We expected this, but we are currently reaching record numbers of people receiving treatment in British Columbia hospitals," Dix added, explaining that the number now exceeds 10,400 cases.

This number can also be explained by the resumption of full-time surgical operations, he said.

Minister Dix also reminded that last year the peak in hospitalizations in British Columbia exceeded 10,200.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus in children

The Chief Public Health Officer of British Columbia pointed out that cases of respiratory syncytial virus in children constitute a part of the numerous treated cases in hospital emergency departments.

However, last week's approval by the Canadian Ministry of Health of a new vaccine aimed at protection from this virus can significantly reduce the number of hospitalizations among children, according to Dr. Pascal Lafontaine, pediatrician and professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

The referred vaccine, called "Abrysvo" and produced by the American company Pfizer, is not yet available in Canada, but it is the first of its kind to be approved by the Canadian Ministry of Health for pregnant women.